The nominations for the Scottish Premiership’s manager of the season will be revealed soon and Martin O’Neill should be the favourite if he can guide Celtic to the title.
Falkirk’s John McGlynn will be in the frame after guiding the Bairns to a top six finish in their first season back in the top flight since 2010.
Celtic-linked Jens Berthel Askou will also be in the frame, even if Motherwell’s recent form may put the Hoops off Askou while Danny Rohl and Derek McInnes will also be in consideration. However, win the title, and it has to be O’Neill’s.
Should Celtic build a statue of Martin O’Neill outside of Parkhead?
Why Martin O’Neill should get the manager of the season award if Celtic win the league
Despite his success in his first stint in Glasgow, he was walking into a very different Parkhead the second time around.
O’Neill inherited a squad low on confidence and losing their identity. Hopes of a fifth consecutive title have been thwarted by Hearts who, thanks to the help of Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics, look like they will be competitors for years to come and, of course, Rangers.
Even with multiple setbacks this campaign, the Hoops still hold the cards in this title race. To do that as a 74-year-old who has been out of the managerial game since 2019 and seemingly didn’t want to return to management.
Yes, they may be third, but if the side win all five remaining league games, they will be crowned champions.
People on the outside will sneer and claim that there is no shock at all in seeing Celtic coming back to win the title. It’s not the 2016 Leicester City miracle, but it would be one of the club’s best wins in recent memory and a huge indicator of O’Neill’s talents.
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