Almost nobody could see Martin O’Neill being named interim manager of Celtic this season.
Even fewer could see it happening twice. The Hoops icon is back in the door again, having been turned to in two emergencies already this season.
His first spell couldn’t really have gone much better, as he closed the gap between Celtic and Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership, beat Rangers in a cup semi-final and delivered an unforgettable European night in Rotterdam.
Despite this, he was abruptly replaced by Wilfried Nancy, who tore apart O’Neill’s winning blueprint and lost six of his eight matches in charge – including one against Dundee United.
And one United man who was involved that night is relishing the chance to face O’Neill, given his knowledge of him from his childhood.
The team I would start against Dundee United is…
Dundee United man on facing Celtic under Martin O’Neill
Luca Stephenson was brutally frank after facing Celtic under Nancy – what he said about the Hoops’ strengths in aerial duels was particularly damning.
On loan at Tannadice from Liverpool, Stephenson is a boyhood Sunderland fan.
READ MORE: Full Celtic squad update on Jota, Iheanacho and Johnston from Martin O’Neill pre-Dundee Utd
And speaking to the Courier, the midfielder discussed his boyhood memories of watching the Black Cats – and the rotten managers they’ve had since.
He said: “It will be a bit surreal with him on the touchline tomorrow because I watched him manage my team when I was a kid.
“I was at his first game, and we won 2-1 against Blackburn. Seb Larsson scored a free kick.
“He was a decent Sunderland manager, I think, although he obviously got the bullet at some point.
“But at Sunderland, if you don’t live long in the memory then you must’ve done alright because we’ve had some bad managers!”
On the game itself, Stephenson said: “We learned a fair bit from the last game, particularly on the mental side.
“When I came here last season, a lot of people – media and whoever else – didn’t give you much hope going into these games.
“Everyone thinks there is only going to be one outcome. But now we’re going into the game having shown we’re more than good enough to beat them.
“We are going into this game not looking to nick a point; but believing we can win it.”
He added: “What the last game showed is you must stay in these games. There will always be tough spells.
“Regardless of whatever run Celtic are on, they’re still Celtic. You’re not going to dominate a whole game against them.
“So, you make sure you’re in it. Make sure that even if you lose a goal, you keep it to one. If that’s the case, there’s always a way back. Things can always turn in games so if you’re in it, you have a chance.”
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Celtic’s last clash with Dundee United
The game at Tannadice was just Nancy’s fourth game in charge of the club – but he had lost his first three.
Changing Celtic’s set-up to move Luke McCowan to wing-back, the Hoops dominated the first half, taking the lead through Daizen Maeda.
It should’ve been much more at the break – but as United pressed higher in the second half, the Celts were unable to deal with set pieces.
United turned the tie around with two quickfire goals, and despite creating more chances after falling behind, no goals were forthcoming.
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