Opinion

Martin O’Neill’s top three results as Celtic manager ahead of 300th game in charge of the Hoops

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Martin O’Neill will become the sixth manager in Celtic history to manage 300 games for the club.

O’Neill already has the highest win percentage of any manager after masterminding the Bhoys to 227 wins from 299 games.

He celebrated his 200th SPFL fixture against Livingston on Wednesday and will hope to follow suit with another great win.

To mark the occasion, 67 Hail Hail looks back at three of the best results from his three spells in charge.

Will any Celtic manager ever top Martin O’Neill’s win record at Celtic?

Martin O'Neill's record as Celtic manager compared to previous managers
Credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Celtic 6-2 Rangers, 2000

We can’t start this list without reminiscing on this Glasgow derby demolition job.

Everything about this day was perfect as Celtic hammered the side from down the road. Henrik Larsson’s lob will forever be etched into history and was the perfect start to his tenure.

Celtic went on to win a domestic Treble for the first time since Jock Stein.

Liverpool 0-2 Celtic (Celtic win 3-1 on aggregate), 2003

That UEFA Cup run in 2003 is often remembered for the famous win in Stuttgart, but this victory at Anfield was arguably even more impressive.

With the Premier League pulling away due to the gulf in finances, this was a statement victory in the road to the final in Seville.

Celtic celebrate during the UEFA Cup Quarter-Final second leg match between Liverpool and Glasgow Celtic
Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images

A 1-1 draw in the first leg at Celtic Park meant that outsiders didn’t give the Hoops a chance. However, they took the lead when Alan Thompson’s free-kick found the back of the net just before half time.

John Hartson then made up for missing a penalty in the first leg by exchanging a neat one-two with Larsson before making sure of the win.

Barcelona 0–0 Celtic (Celtic win 1-0 on aggregate), 2004

It may not have been a win, but this 1-0 aggregate win remains one of Celtic’s greatest defensive performances of all time.

Winning the first leg at home against a star-studded Barcelona side including Ronaldinho and Xavi, keeping them at bay seemed like a near-impossible task.

Poll: Which result was the best one under Martin O’Neill at Celtic

David Marshall was the hero on the night, making save after save and was the huge reason why the Bhoys defied the odds and secured a famous victory.