Martin O’Neill has made returning to the dugout after a long absence look easy.
In returning to Celtic, became the oldest active manager in Britain – though Neil Warnock has since overtaken him by taking over at Torquay United.
The experience from O’Neill’s legendary first spell in Glasgow will have been pivotal in Celtic’s second-half turnaround after falling two goals behind at Ibrox.
Reflecting on a dramatic day at Ibrox, the interim boss has discussed Sir Alex Ferguson, Roy Keane and ‘not liking’ his new self in a Glasgow Derby context.
What can Celtic do to improve their first-half performances?
Martin O’Neill on Celtic, Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane
Asked about giving his players the proverbial ‘hairdryer treatment’ at Ibrox during his press conference on Tuesday, O’Neill said: “I was certainly ruthless 20-odd years ago.
“But I feel as if I’m mellowed, and I don’t like it. I really don’t.
READ MORE: Martin O’Neill admits he ‘feels sorry’ for Michel-Ange Balikwisha and explains Celtic freeze-out
“Yeah, I’m managing in a different way now, and I don’t like myself like that.”
Asked about his managerial style changing over the years, O’Neill said: “I think the answer is yes, it is.
“But you’re going to have to ask one of the greatest of all time, Alex Ferguson. Alex was having to make adjustments.
“Now, I think the adjustments are easier for one who’s constantly winning all the time. So you can make those wee adjustments, and they don’t seem as if they’re in your face as quickly as that.
“We spoke to him. He was at the game. I think he was at the Hearts game on Saturday. He was at our game.
“But you speak to him, and he was starting to make adjustments. In other words, the players… Great, great footballers that he could rip into if things weren’t going so well.
“I think he was finding that adjustment to the younger element coming through. Maybe that’s not just football. Maybe that’s just part of life at the end of it all.
“I spoke to him very briefly before the game. I think he was just about to head up for lunch or something, but he was at the reception area.
“Honestly, if you were to ask him, I think he would tell you. I think Roy [Keane] saw some wee changes that the manager was taking, but during that time.
“Listen, he might absolutely just say that’s nonsense, but I think somewhere along the way you have to make some sort of adjustments to it.”
You are Martin O’Neill, what is the first change you would make for the cup game against Rangers?
What has changed at Celtic under Martin O’Neill this season?
Both Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy have been replaced by O’Neill at different points this season, and on both occasions, the team enjoyed an upturn in form.
Fans noted a more direct approach after Rodgers’ departure, with Auston Trusty and Arne Engels being brought back into the side after a lack of early-season starts.
Under Nancy, the team’s approach had radically changed without much time for learning on the training pitch.
When O’Neill returned for a second time, he quickly brought the side back to basics, abandoning a 3-4-3 system which had seen a host of players move to roles which were, at times, completely unfamiliar.
He also made five signings in the January window, though their impacts have varied so far.
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