Didier Agathe’s latest recollection of joining Celtic almost sounds too good to be true. The Frenchman initially hung up on Martin O’Neill because he thought the legendary manager’s phone call was a joke.
What happened next makes the story even more remarkable. O’Neill called back, convinced Agathe he was serious, and personally negotiated the player’s Celtic contract the following day.
Compared to recent reports of wage-related Celtic complications with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, Agathe’s account serves as a reminder of how decisive Celtic once were when they identified the right player.
Your thoughts on the latest update on the delayed appointment of Martin O’Neill… 🤦♂️
Martin O’Neill knew exactly what he wanted at Celtic
Agathe explained just how quickly the move came together.
“Martin was late for the game,” Agathe says, 25 years on. “He saw one of the goals. And after the game, he called me.
The former Celtic winger said, “I didn’t believe him [when he called to sign me]. My English was still very poor. At the time it was very, very bad. So I put the phone down.
“Then he called me back. And the day after I was at Celtic, I negotiated my contract with him. Amazing.
“I think sometimes life is very funny. You need to be in a certain place, and Martin was the right manager for me.”
There was no prolonged saga. O’Neill saw enough, trusted his judgement and moved immediately.
Agathe’s account makes modern Celtic transfer sagas look even stranger
No one is suggesting football recruitment should operate exactly as it did 25 years ago. The game has changed dramatically.
However, Agathe’s story arrives at a time when Celtic have faced questions over wage-related complications in recruitment. Compared to O’Neill personally handling business and getting a deal done almost overnight, the contrast is difficult to ignore.
The best Celtic signings are often the simplest ones
Agathe did not arrive with huge fanfare. He simply became one of the most effective players in a successful Celtic side.
His story is a reminder that conviction still matters. Sometimes the best recruitment decisions come from identifying a player and acting before obstacles begin to multiply.
Agathe’s story is a reminder Celtic should not ignore
What stands out most from Agathe’s recollection is not luck. It is decisiveness.
O’Neill saw a player he wanted and had the deal effectively completed within 24 hours. Whether it is players or staff, Celtic’s current negotiations often appear far less straightforward.
Agathe’s story is a reminder that conviction and decisiveness once gave the club a major advantage.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
