Peter Grant believes Martin O’Neill handed Derek McInnes a lesson in title-race management this week, and the former Celtic midfielder made it clear where he thinks the difference lies.
While McInnes focused publicly on refereeing controversy and outside noise, O’Neill projected calmness and control throughout the title run-in.
Grant clearly saw that contrast as decisive during the closing stages of the title race and believes O’Neill completely outclassed McInnes before the decisive Parkhead showdown.
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Speaking on the Let Me Be Frank Podcast, Grant did not hold back when discussing how O’Neill handled the pressure compared to McInnes.
Grant said, “See the last week, I think he’s given Derek a bit of a lesson. I really do because the way he speaks.
“Also the fact Derek was talking about Celtic, you know, the decision at Motherwell or whatever. Martin was just nodding, he said, listen, it’s a very difficult game. Talked about it, gave him the respect that they’ve earned throughout the season.
“Derek was talking about, oh, it’s a disgraceful decision. Oh, it’s all against us.
“I know he’s been seeing Sir Alex Ferguson, whatever, Sir Alex used that a hundred years ago.
“And at the end of the day, even if you’re thinking that, you keep that with your players. Everybody was wanting Celtic to lose the title.”
Martin O’Neill understood exactly what Celtic needed as McInnes got distracted
Grant’s point was not really about mind games. It was about control.
O’Neill understood that title races are difficult enough without adding emotional distractions publicly. Instead of feeding controversy, he projected calmness and respect while keeping the focus entirely on football.
McInnes, fairly or unfairly, appeared drawn into the surrounding noise. That is exactly what experienced elite managers try to avoid during decisive periods of a season.
Grant’s argument was simple. Elite managers do not feed pressure publicly during title races, they control it. In his eyes, that is exactly what separated O’Neill from McInnes this week.
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