Celtic boss Martin O’Neill clarifies Hearts title winning comments and has the press room in stitches

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Celtic boss Martin O’Neill was in fine form after beating Falkirk as he clarified his comments about Hearts winning the title.

O’Neill’s temporary reign at Celtic got off to a great start with an impressive win over Falkirk with fans noticing an immediate change in the tempo and style of play.

Celtic hammered Falkirk knocking in four goals as young Johnny Kenny stole the show in front of his new boss.

And reacting to the win post-match, O’Neill redressed his Hearts title-winning comments from talkSPORT and what the Celtic boss said had the press room in stitches.

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Celtic boss Martin O’Neill said he was ‘talking a lot of b——-‘ about Hearts

O’Neill was clearly delighted to be back at Celtic when he revisited the phone call he got from Dermot Desmond.

And as the Celtic boss did, O’Neill spoke about his Hearts title-winning comments to leave the packed press room in tears.

O’Neill said on Celtic TV, “You’re sitting, honestly, in a coffee shop on Monday afternoon, and the coffee was dreadful by the way, and I get a call, and it was the last thing on earth that I would ever do another game.

“And then having just come out of talkSPORT and I didn’t actually say, or did I, that it would be a good thing for the SPFL if Hearts won the league.

“But I thought I said, paradoxically, it wouldn’t be great for the league if Rangers or Celtic weren’t involved.

“Oh well, anyway talking a lot of b——- really. Nothing has changed. Filibustering.”

You can watch the class exchange and press room reaction below.

What Martin O’Neill actually said about Hearts beating Celtic to the title

Seeing as O’Neill seemed to have a foggy memory about the comments, we decided to take a wee look back to what the Celtic manager actually said about Hearts winning the title.

Before taking the temporary Celtic job, O’Neill said, “After the weekend, they have put themselves in a really decent position,” said O’Neill. “I get back to the point. I think it’s early.

“Hearts have shown a great determination. Their record is great, at this minute. With Celtic not being as strong, as physically as strong, as maybe you would want them to be. It is possible.

“Celtic can actually lose games, whereas before, they looked invincible in matches. Rangers are no threat whatsoever. They are so far adrift it’s untrue.

“But this is the moment. This is the time for Hearts. They have gone eight points clear. That is a decent enough lead, really. Their confidence has grown, and it will grow from that victory.”

So, technically, O’Neill was correct, he didn’t actually say Hearts will win the title. The Celtic boss just said now is their best chance to do it.

However, after watching Celtic last night and as Hearts faltered at St Mirren, it appears that O’Neill’s appointment was inspired as the gap closes to six points.