There is a renewed sense of calm and confidence at Celtic.
The reason is simple: Martin O’Neill is back in charge, and supporters are naturally more optimistic about what the team can achieve this season.
That confidence was evident during Celtic’s weekend victory over Dundee United, which marked O’Neill’s second return to the dugout in just a few months following Wilfried Nancy’s dismissal.
In the weeks leading up to his return, O’Neill had been sharing his insights on talkSPORT alongside Simon Jordan. The former Crystal Palace owner is confident about how things will unfold for the Hoops before the season ends.
Simon Jordan weighs in on O’Neill and the title race
Celtic are still chasing the league leaders, with Hearts six points ahead. Despite this gap, Jordan predicts that Celtic could still end up winning the title. He described this as “tragic” not because he doubts O’Neill’s abilities, but because he would prefer to see Hearts lift the trophy instead. Historically, no team outside of Celtic or Rangers has claimed the Scottish Premiership since 1985, which explains why neutrals might hope for a fresh champion.
Jordan praised O’Neill for his sensible approach, contrasting him with the underwhelming managers Celtic endured between his two interim spells.
“I fully expect Martin O’Neill to win this league,” Jordan said. “On January 25th, he is facing Hearts. He managed to avoid that fixture the first time around and left it for Wilfried Nancy, who didn’t get the desired results.
“Martin will be benchmarking himself. He is a sensible manager at 73 years old. He knows how to handle Celtic and get the best from the players at his disposal. He also wants to strengthen the squad, as he has already indicated.
“The players are responsible for their performances under him. They can’t get away with underperforming, but Martin will manage them wisely. I wouldn’t be surprised if Celtic ultimately wins the league. It’s tragic not because I doubt O’Neill, but because I would rather see Hearts come out on top. Unfortunately, Celtic might catch them.”
O’Neill’s return has brought stability, discipline, and optimism, giving the champions a strong chance to close the gap at the top while restoring faith among fans.