Martin O’Neill appears to have had an immediate impact at Celtic as James Forrest opens up on how the interim boss has every player ‘tuned in’ ahead of the Rangers game.
O’Neill took his first game in charge of the Bhoys as Celtic smashed Falkirk just days before the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers.
The Hampden showdown will be O’Neill’s second game in charge at Celtic as the Northern Irishman is thrown into the deep end at Parkhead this week.
However, it appears that the interim boss has every Celtic player onside as James Forrest reveals the rousing message he sent to the team in the week of the big Premier Sports Cup game against Rangers.
- READ MORE: BBC duo accuse Martin O’Neill of ‘playing a game’ about becoming the permanent Celtic manager
Martin O’Neill has every Celtic player ‘tuned in’ ahead of Rangers game
Despite being at the club for over 20 years, Forrest had never met, never mind played for, Martin O’Neill before he returned to Celtic this week.
And here, the legendary winger shares how the enigmatic Northern Irishman has made an instant impression on the Celtic first-team squad.
Forrest told the Sunday Mirror, “I’ve had really good managers and been involved with great players and stuff over the years. But the aura when he was in the room – it meant everybody was tuned in and that’s what he deserves.
“He was so positive, he was praising the lads and being really confident. And that was maybe what the lads needed on the morning of the game because it was a difficult 48 hours. O’Neill just made it really light-hearted.
“He was going round the lads and telling us that there’s winners in the changing room – just bigging us up. It really hit home.
“You could tell that the lads, by the way we went out on Wednesday night (a 4-0 win over Falkirk), were really a team.”
Martin O’Neill’s record vs Rangers as Celtic boss
O’Neill has a great record against Rangers as the Celtic manager. And whilst many fans will never forget that infamous 6-2 Glasgow Derby demolition, the 73-year-old’s record against the Ibrox club is one to boast about.
- Played: 24
- Won: 13
- Drew: 3
- Lost: 8
- Goals For:Against: 36:32
- Biggest win: Celtic 6 v 2 Rangers
Whilst another 6-2 result is highly unlikely, Celtic fans will take any win against Rangers to set them up for a big cup final date against St Mirren in December.
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