Martin O’Neill’s first spell at Celtic was a special five-year period.
The 73-year-old, who has replaced Brendan Rodgers after his sudden resignation, will take charge of his first match against Falkirk at Celtic Park on Wednesday evening.
O’Neill will be joined in the dugout by Shaun Maloney, Stephen McManus and Mark Fotheringham, after the departure of long-serving coach John Kennedy was confirmed.
He has been clear that he sees this as a short-term opportunity to take care of first-team matters whilst Dermot Desmond and the Celtic board search for a new manager.
But for Stiliyan Petrov, who achieved great success during O’Neill’s first spell, the Celtic players are about to be challenged like they haven’t been in recent years.
Stiliyan Petrov on returning Celtic boss Martin O’Neill
Petrov was speaking to O’Neill less than 24 hours after his return to Celtic Park was confirmed.
O’Neill was walking through London to meet his wife when the unexpected call from Desmond gave him ten minutes to decide on whether he wanted to return.
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For Petrov, speaking to Sky Sports, there is no doubt about it – his former manager is the right choice for the role.
He said: “I had a conversation with Martin yesterday – well, a brief, conversation – he was just having his breakfast just before his flight to Glasgow. His mouth was half-full, so I could hardly understand him.
“But you can feel that enthusiasm, that energy, that excitement from his voice, about helping Celtic. And it’s a really brave move from Martin.
“He’s helping the club at a really difficult time. He’s the right man. He will challenge those players mentally, the way they haven’t been challenged in the last three or four years.
“His demand and ability to motivate will give the players the confidence to go and perform. And that’s what it’s all about now. To get results.
“That’s what the club is probably looking for until they find the next solution.”
It will be fascinating to see in the Falkirk game whether any significant changes are made to the Hoops side.
Which Celtic players will benefit from the managerial change?
Celtic’s change in the dugout was a major shock, and Maloney discussed a ‘traumatic’ day at the Hoops’ training ground, with players potentially not taking the news well.
The obvious choices are Shin Yamada, Hayato Inamura and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, who have seen next to no football since coming to Celtic in the summer.
Paulo Bernardo’s lack of minutes has split opinion. The Portugal youth captain has started just twice for the Hoops this season, despite being highly rated.
Callum Osmand, Auston Trusty and Michel-Ange Balikwisha will all also be hoping for more opportunities under the new boss.
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