Martin O’Neill says there’s something about Celtic’s title win Brendan Rodgers ‘would never have thought of’

Add as preferred source on Google

Another title in the bag for Brendan Rodgers and Celtic.

In the modern era, Martin O’Neill is regarded as Celtic’s greatest-ever manager, but it’s fair to say that Rodgers is now giving him a run for his money.

That four titles out of four over the Irishman’s two spells, including the latest crown, which was celebrated at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon.

James Forrest scored a record-breaking goal and ensured the final game of the season ended with a 1-1 draw against St Mirren.

The 2024/25 Premiership title itself was won on April 26 at Dundee United, but it’s fair to say that it was done and dusted long before that.

• READ MORE: Jeffrey Schlupp’s fitting two-word message as Celtic celebrate title and Crystal Palace win FA Cup

Martin O’Neill on the manner of Celtic’s title win

Before a ball was kicked, Celtic were the clear favourites to win the title, and like the story has gone for decades now, history repeated itself.

O’Neill told Sky Sports Football (17/05/25) that the title was won ‘by Christmas time’, but it’s something Rodgers would ‘never have thought of’ or even ‘mentioned’ out loud.

The former Republic of Ireland boss compared how Celtic wins titles in today’s market compared to when he used to do it, as he was sitting next to Stiliyan Petrov and Chris Sutton when sharing his thoughts.

“You would have thought that this title, although Brendan would never have thought it or never mentioned it, that this title (has been won) by Christmas time,” said O’Neill.

“It is nice. It means that you can concentrate on other things. The run in the Champions League was terrific. I think when things are going in your direction, as you say, it’s calmness. Something, I am not too sure, we (O’Neill, Petrov and Sutton) experienced too much together in our time.

“Even though there were a couple of seasons when we won the league pretty easily. It never felt like that, did it?!”

Celtic’s season in numbers

Celtic had started the season like a house on fire, including in the Champions League, and then going on to lift the League Cup at Hampden.

The year 2025 brought about a few issues, especially after the European exit to Bayern Munich, with more losses than Rodgers would have wanted to suffer.

But yet, the champions of Scotland reacted really well to it all, and now the final game of the season awaits on Saturday for the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen.