Martin O’Neill believes Celtic are rediscovering something that defined his first spell at the club, and his latest comments about the supporters carry serious weight.
The current Celtic manager has seen some of the club’s greatest modern sides up close, and he now feels the connection between supporters and players is beginning to resemble those years again.
Speaking about the atmosphere around the club, O’Neill said: “The message is anything like the support that we received in recent weeks where there’s a definite togetherness.
“I think that I’ve often said this here in my return spell because I never really experienced this before in my time.
“I’m talking about my period 20-odd years ago at Celtic where there was a unification with supporters and the players that was very, very strong.
“I suppose there had been a spell before where we’d not been used to winning anything and so maybe that togetherness galvanized both supporters and the team. And when it’s all together then there’s this great feeling of unity.
“Now obviously the results are the most important thing, but the power of the fans is fantastic.
“So, I don’t probably really need to give them a message. I think they know what to do.”
Martin O’Neill knows exactly what a united Celtic looks like
That comparison matters because O’Neill is not speaking as a former manager looking back fondly on the past.
O’Neill is directly experiencing the Celtic Park atmosphere during a crucial stage of the season.
The Celtic boss delivered seven domestic trophies during his first spell and built one of the most emotionally connected Celtic sides of the modern era.
The supporter bond during those years became part of the identity of his team. That is why his latest comments stand out.
Few people understand the difference between a tense Celtic Park and a unified one better than O’Neill.
Celtic Park has started feeling different again
The atmosphere around Celtic Park has clearly shifted in recent weeks. O’Neill has repeatedly spoken about the impact supporters have had during important victories and difficult moments in matches.
Recent wins over Falkirk, St Mirren and Livingston have all reinforced the growing sense of unity around the squad.
The current Premiership title race has naturally increased pressure, but it has also sharpened the connection between the crowd and the players.
That support becomes even more important when performances are not perfect.
O’Neill himself recently praised the Celtic Park atmosphere after another important result.
His latest comments suggest he believes supporters are now helping drive the team forward rather than adding tension to the situation.
Celtic supporters could still shape how this season ends
Celtic are still fighting on multiple fronts. The club remain alive in the league race and also have a Scottish Cup final ahead.
That context makes O’Neill’s message even more significant. He knows exactly what momentum and belief can do at this stage of a season.
The key part of his comments may have been his final line on the Celtic supporters. “I think they know what to do.”
That does not sound like a manager trying to motivate a disconnected support. It sounds like somebody who believes Celtic supporters are already responding exactly how he hoped they would.
O’Neill has witnessed some of the strongest atmospheres Celtic Park has produced over the last 25 years.
The fact he now sees similarities returning says plenty about the feeling around the club heading into the final weeks of the campaign.
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