Martin O’Neill has expressed his joy at the transformative power of a unified Celtic Park.
Last Saturday, Celtic secured a crucial win over Falkirk, and O’Neill admitted that the electric atmosphere before, during and after the match took him ‘back years’ to his first legendary stint in Glasgow.
The 74-year-old, who returned for a sensational second spell in the Celtic Park dugout in October and January, was quick to praise the fans for their unwavering backing after the chaotic scenes of this campaign.
“Perhaps when I came here, way back in the second spell in January, and a bit of mayhem around,” admitted O’Neill. “I thought the players wouldn’t mind. They can play through this.
“But the difference here between then and now, with the crowd right behind us, you can feel it as well within the dressing room. The players are up for it.”
What did you make of the pre-match scenes before the Falkirk game?
Martin O’Neill praises Celtic fans for uniting during post-split fixtures
Celtic have two more home matches remaining, and they couldn’t be any bigger.
Everyone is aware that if the champions of Scotland beat Rangers in the Glasgow derby on May 10, and also Hearts on the last day of the season, then O’Neill might have just secured the Premiership title.
Of course, the Hoops need to do their jobs in the other two away trips – Easter Road this Sunday, and then Fir Park against free-flowing Motherwell.
Looking back at the sheer turbulence of the winter months, when O’Neill was forced to navigate his way out of a descended-into-chaos Celtic AGM, the current sense of unity at the club feels almost unthinkable.
This sudden shift in tone has been completely game-changing behind the scenes, and it’s now noticeable on the pitch.
Fresh off scooping the Premiership Manager of the Month award for April, a visibly thrilled O’Neill was quick to share his joy with Celtic TV.
“Even the welcome we got coming up when the bus pulled in an hour before kick off (against Falkirk),” said O’Neill.
“That was terrific, and it hasn’t been around for some time. But the support we got was magnificent, absolutely magnificent, and stayed with us as well.
“There were moments there where we were a bit cranky as well. They could have got a bit upset with things, but they stayed with us. We played strongly in many aspects. Lots of things we can still improve on.
“But it was great. It was lovely getting that feeling inside Celtic Park. It took me back years, years and years.
“Absolutely massive (difference). You don’t think about it. Perhaps when I came here, way back in the second spell in January, and a bit of mayhem around. I thought the players wouldn’t mind. They can play through this.
“But the difference here between then and now, with the crowd right behind us, you can feel it as well within the dressing room. The players are up for it.
“Like anything else, encouragement rather than discouragement is a massive boost to us.”
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