Brilliant story of Martin O’Neill showing his class behind the scenes at Celtic press conference

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Martin O’Neill’s interim Celtic spell only lasted five weeks, but it will certainly be well-remembered by fans.

In a time of turbulence, O’Neill was a beacon of positivity, for reasons beyond just the team’s results – they weren’t bad either, though.

The Hoops legend’s humour and honesty shone through in the media, time and time again.

As talks with Wilfried Nancy dragged on, O’Neill stayed in the role longer than expected, and eventually finished with a record of seven wins in eight matches.

This was just what the team needed after struggling under Brendan Rodgers – but his impact reached far beyond the dressing room, including into the press room…

Brilliant Martin O’Neill Celtic story revealed by Gordon Duncan

O’Neill certainly broke the ice quickly with a few hilarious quips at his first press conference.

These kept on coming, and his frequent addressing of journalists as ‘young man’ was the ultimate back-handed compliment.

READ MORE: Celtic confirm unusual change to Wilfried Nancy’s first press conference

One of many to have been given that title is Gordon Duncan of Sky Sports and Clyde Superscoreboard – and speaking on the latter, he told a brilliant story from O’Neill’s final press conference.

He said: “A quick anecdote from Tuesday, when we were up at the training ground:

“[O’Neill] opens the door to the press room, before the press conference. He looks in, and I’m just standing in his line of vision.

“So he catches my eye, and says, ‘do you boys get tea and coffee in here?’

“I said ‘nah, there’s no tea and coffee in here.’… and he goes, ‘Well, you do today. Come with me. You, young man, come with me.’

“And I’m going… ‘Right, this is a bit of a career low, being the teaboy, but whatever.’ And he goes round the room, and he goes: ‘What do you want? – black tea, black tea, milk and two, coffee… write this down!’

“I’ve got my phone out, [typing] ‘five black teas!’ He drags me upstairs, into the players’ restaurant, I’m just following Martin O’Neill around.

“And eventually, someone came over and took the tea order, and luckily I didn’t need to make them. But he arranged for it all to get brought back down.

“Just a small, simple gesture.”

Best moments from Martin O’Neill’s interim Celtic spell

O’Neill packed a good few memories into his short spell – not least a dramatic win against Rangers at Hampden, which saw Callum Osmand score his first senior goal on the biggest of stages.

A dramatic Saturday-night win against St Mirren. thanks to a stunning hit by Callum McGregor was also a special moment.

But perhaps the best of them all was that night in Rotterdam, which saw Celtic’s first win on Dutch soils since O’Neill himself beat Ajax in 2001.