Martin O'Neill exclusive: On nerves of Celtic return, 'unconvincing' recruitment under Paul Tisdale - and chasing down Hearts

Martin O'Neill's return to Celtic management has brought with it a mix of emotions and concerns about the team's future prospects. The 73-year-old boss, who was initially lured back in on a temporary basis just 32 days after handing over the reins to Wilfried Nancy, has expressed worries about being considered "too old" for the role.

O'Neill's initial stint at Celtic came to an end eight years ago, but he returned to the club in January following the resignation of Brendan Rodgers. The veteran manager acknowledged that he was apprehensive about taking charge again, fearing that his age would impact his ability to lead the team.

However, O'Neill has stated that he is happy with what the team has achieved so far under his management, particularly in terms of bringing in quality players to strengthen the squad. He noted that securing top-class signings had proven to be a challenge, but was relieved when some of the new recruits started to make an impact on the pitch.

One of the standout performers for Celtic this season is Czech forward Tomas Cvancara, who scored his first goal against Falkirk over the weekend. O'Neill praised the striker's ability and noted that he has brought much-needed quality to the team.

Despite Celtic's improved form, O'Neill remains committed to chasing down leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. The veteran manager acknowledged that his side would face significant challenges in overtaking their rivals, but was determined to give it a go.

"I'd like to be six points clear," O'Neill said when asked about his team's chances of taking the top spot. "Let me put it this way, it has to be. It has to be." The manager's defiance in the face of adversity is a testament to his unwavering commitment to Celtic and its fans.

O'Neill also spoke about the possibility of signing England international midfielder Jack Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was reportedly training at Arsenal when Celtic made their move. If the deal were to happen, it would provide the team with a significant boost in terms of talent and experience.

However, the real challenge for Celtic lies ahead as they look to take on Hearts and dethrone them from the top spot. With only games remaining, O'Neill will need to navigate his team through this critical stretch of the season with aplomb if he is to achieve his goal.

Despite the odds being stacked against him, O'Neill remains optimistic about his side's chances. As one of Celtic's most successful managers in history, he knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and he is determined to bring success back to the club.
 
come on lads let's not get too worked up over Martin O'Neill's return ๐Ÿ™…โ€โ™‚๏ธ... I think he's got a good track record with Celtic in the past and he's already brought in some top talent like Cvancara ๐Ÿ’ช... yeah, signing Jack Oxlade-Chamberlain would be massive but we can't put too much pressure on him just yet ๐Ÿ˜ฌ... let's just enjoy the ride and see how things play out ๐ŸŽข
 
I gotta say, I'm low-key excited about Martin O'Neill taking charge of Celtic again ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ‘Š. Eight years have passed, but it's clear he still knows how to get the job done. The fact that Tomas Cvancara is starting to make waves on the pitch is a great sign โ€“ he really can bring some top-class quality to the team.

But, gotta be real, 73 ain't exactly spring chicken age ๐Ÿ˜‚. Will O'Neill be able to keep up with the demands of managing a top-level team? Only time will tell. That being said, I'm loving his spirit and determination โ€“ if anyone can do it, it's him!

As for signing Jack Oxlade-Chamberlain, that would be a massive boost for Celtic ๐Ÿคฉ. The guy's got skills for days! But, it's one thing to make a move, another to actually pull it off.

Hearts are the team to beat right now, and Celtic's gonna have to put in some serious work to dethrone them ๐Ÿ’ช. It won't be easy, but I'm hyped to see how O'Neill's side responds under pressure. Can he lead them to victory? Only time (and maybe a few dodgy refereeing decisions) will tell ๐Ÿคž
 
man.. i think o'nell is gonna have a tough time trying to get celtic back on top ๐Ÿ˜ฌ especially with hearts being so strong right now... but you know what? i love how he's not giving up ๐Ÿคฉ he's still got that fire in his belly and he knows what it takes to win. plus, having jack oxlade-chamberlain on board would be a huge boost for the team ๐Ÿš€ those two would make an unstoppable duo. and let's be real, it's been 8 years since o'nell last managed celtic, so yeah, there are some concerns about him being "too old" ๐Ÿค” but at 73, he's still got some tricks up his sleeve ๐Ÿ˜‰
 
um I was watching this video of that new celtic player Tomas Cvancara ๐Ÿ˜‚ and he's so cool! i mean i dont even know who celtic is but my friend said theyre good ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ anyway whats with martin o neill being 73 tho? doesnt he think hes too old to be manageing a football team? ๐Ÿค”
 
๐Ÿค” I think Martin O'Neill's return to Celtic management is a great move for the team ๐Ÿ™Œ. On one hand, you've got to consider his age - 73 isn't exactly young anymore ๐Ÿ˜… - but at the same time, he's still got a ton of experience and knowledge under his belt that can only benefit the squad. Plus, he's proven himself as a top-notch manager in the past, which is no easy feat ๐Ÿ”ฅ.

The big question is, though, how's he gonna handle the pressure ๐Ÿคฏ? Celtic's been through some tough times lately, and O'Neill knows what it takes to get the team over the line. But, at the same time, he can't ignore the fact that his age might be a concern for some fans ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ.

I think, though, what really matters is how the team responds under his management ๐Ÿ’ฌ. If they start to gel and play like a well-oiled machine, then O'Neill's age won't be an issue - he'll just be seen as another experienced voice in the dugout ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ. And with players like Tomas Cvancara scoring goals left and right โšฝ๏ธ, I think there's definitely hope for this team to make a push for the top spot.

Of course, it's not gonna be easy ๐Ÿ’ช - those Hearts fans aren't going to give up without a fight ๐Ÿค . But O'Neill's got spirit, and he knows how to navigate these kinds of situations ๐Ÿ‘Š. Bring on the next few weeks โฐ!
 
idk man, celts are still a long shot to win the league ๐Ÿค”. martin o'neill may have some good points about the team's form but i think they need to strengthen in midfield ASAP โšฝ๏ธ. also, if jack oxlade-chamberlain joins, it'll be a huge boost, but we gotta see how he adjusts to the scottish game first ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ. still though, 6 points clear? lol that's cute ๐Ÿ™„
 
man I'm low-key worried about martรญn o'neill taking charge again ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ’ฌ his age got me thinking if celtic can really compete with hearts on top spot in scottish prem ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ‘€ but at the same time its dope to see him chasing that six point lead ๐Ÿ”ด๐Ÿ’ช he's got some great players like cvancara and if they manage to sign jack oxlade-chamberlain ๐Ÿคฉ it would be a massive boost for the team ๐Ÿ’ฅ
 
I gotta say, 73 years old is still young for a football manager lol ๐Ÿ˜‚. I think O'Neill is trying to send a message that age is just a number and he's still got it in him. The guy's been around the block a few times, so I trust his judgment. He's not going to let his age hold him back from giving Celtic a good go at beating Hearts.

I love how he's being defiant about his team's chances - it shows he's got nothing but confidence in them ๐Ÿ™„. And signing Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a huge boost for the team, he's an experienced player who can make a difference.

But let's not forget, the real challenge lies ahead and Celtic will need to stay focused if they want to dethrone Hearts ๐Ÿ”ฅ. Still, with O'Neill at the helm, I think there's hope for them yet โšฝ๏ธ.
 
I feel like this comeback story is so inspiring ๐Ÿ™Œ! I mean, 73? That's age, right? But O'Neill seems like a total boss ๐Ÿ’ช. He knows what it takes to win and he's not afraid to say it out loud. And let's be real, Tomas Cvancara is the real MVP ๐Ÿ”ฅ - bringing quality players in is one thing but getting them on the pitch is another story altogether.

But seriously, the odds are against Celtic and O'Neill has his work cut out for him. Hearts have been leading all season and it'll take a lot to catch up. Still, I love O'Neill's attitude ๐Ÿค” - he's like the Kevin Bacon of football managers (you know, that one scene in Footloose where he just takes over the whole school? same vibes). And if they can pull off this signing with Jack Oxlade-Chamberlain, watch out ๐Ÿ’ฅ. Celtic might just do it!
 
I'm thinking... ๐Ÿค” Martin O'Neill seems like a tough cookie, I mean, who else wants to take on Hearts with their top spot just out of reach? ๐Ÿ˜… But for real, 73 and still going strong, that's some inspiration right there. The fact that he's getting quality players in and they're starting to pay off is definitely a plus. Tomas Cvancara sounds like a game-changer - I'd love to see how the team responds with someone of his caliber on board.

Still, it's gonna be tough going up against Hearts. They've got the momentum and experience. But you know what? O'Neill seems like the kind of guy who'll stop at nothing to give Celtic another shot at glory. And that determination is something to root for. ๐Ÿ™Œ Can't wait to see how this whole thing plays out! ๐Ÿ’ช
 
i wonder if o'n eill really thinks he can lead celtic to the top spot ๐Ÿค”...he's 73 now lol...does that mean he's planning on retiring in march or something? ๐Ÿ˜‚ but seriously, has anyone seen the tactics celtic will be playing to try and catch hearts? their midfield is pretty shaky atm...do you think jack oxlade-chamberlain would even want to join a team that's kinda struggling? ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ
 
I think its gonna be a great season for Celtic! ๐Ÿคž They've got some new talent like Tomas Cvancara scoring goals left and right ๐Ÿ˜‚. O'Neill's experience will definitely help but I'm also low-key hyped about them going after Jack Oxlade-Chamberlain if that happens ๐Ÿ’ช. The only thing I'm worried about is Hearts' benching their star player, it could be a game changer ๐Ÿค”. How do you think Celtic's gonna pull off this top spot? ๐Ÿ‘€
 
๐Ÿค” I think its a good thing Martin O'Neill is being honest about his age concerns, but we should also give him credit for taking on the challenge anyway ๐Ÿ˜Š. Eight years have passed since his last stint as Celtic manager, so I'm curious to see how he's adapted and whether his experience will shine through in these final games โฐ.
 
๐Ÿค” I'm curious to see how O'Neill's return affects the team's chemistry - 8 years have passed since his initial stint, so will the players gel with him again? โšฝ๏ธ He's definitely shown some great moves in bringing in quality signings, but I wonder if they'll make a big enough impact on the pitch. Tomas Cvancara is looking sharp right now, though! ๐Ÿ˜Š One thing that really gets me excited is the possibility of signing Jack Oxlade-Chamberlain - if he can bring that level of talent to the team, it would be game-changer. ๐Ÿš€ The odds might be against Celtic, but with O'Neill at the helm and a few key signings on board, I think they've got a shot at taking down Hearts! ๐Ÿ’ช
 
I don't think 73-year-old Martin O'Neill is too old for the job ๐Ÿ˜. I mean, he's had an incredible career so far, what's a little more experience between us? It's not like he's going to be out there sipping tea on the sidelines all day ๐Ÿต. He's still got fire in his belly and wants to prove that Celtic can win the league again ๐Ÿ’ช. Can't argue with that level of passion and dedication! However, I do hope they make some smart signings soon. Tomas Cvancara is a great find, but we need more depth in midfield if O'Neill is going to take on Hearts ๐Ÿค”. That's where it'll be tough for Celtic - the rest of the league is stacked with talented players too ๐Ÿ˜…
 
Wow ๐Ÿคฏ

Interesting how someone like Martin O'Neill, who was considered "too old" for the job, is still managing a top-tier team with experience and determination. It's inspiring to see him chasing his goal despite the odds against him ๐Ÿ˜Š. And signing Jack Oxlade-Chamberlain could be a game-changer for Celtic ๐Ÿ‘. We'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out ๐Ÿ’ช
 
mate ๐Ÿ’ฌ i think its awesome that martin o neill is back in charge ๐Ÿ™Œ he knows how to get results from those celtic players ๐Ÿ‘ especially with tomas cvancara scoring goals again โšฝ๏ธ and now maybe bringing jack oxlade chamberlain in would make them even stronger ๐Ÿคฉ but yeah its gonna be tough chasing down hearts at the moment ๐Ÿ† they're ahead of the pack for a reason ๐Ÿ˜…
 
I gotta say, I'm loving this move by O'Neill ๐Ÿ˜Š. He's got experience on his side and that's exactly what Celtic needs right now. The team has been decent but not great, and it's time for someone with a proven track record to come in and shake things up.

I mean, 73 isn't old, right? ๐Ÿ™…โ€โ™‚๏ธ O'Neill knows the game inside out, and he's got a wealth of knowledge that's hard to match. Plus, he's got the passion and drive to bring success back to Celtic, which is all anyone can ask for.

Of course, it's not going to be easy. Hearts are tough opponents, but I think O'Neill's got this ๐Ÿค”. He's already started making moves to strengthen the squad, and if they can get Jack Oxlade-Chamberlain on board, that's a game-changer.

It's all about optimism now for Celtic fans ๐Ÿ”ฎ. We've been down this road before, but I think this time it's different. O'Neill's got the fire in his belly to take them all the way, and if they can pull off an upset against Hearts, we'll be talking about a whole new season of success ๐Ÿ’ฅ.
 
๐Ÿค” I mean, 73 and taking charge again? That's like me trying to get back into my old gaming console, haha! ๐Ÿ˜‚ O'Neill's been out of the game for so long, it's crazy how he's still got that fire in him. The guy's a legend, no doubt about it.

I'm not sure what to make of this whole "too old" thing, though. I mean, age is just a number, right? He's still getting quality players in and the team's doing alright for itself. And Tomas Cvancara's been a game-changer, ain't he?

But seriously, Celtic's got their work cut out for them if they wanna take down Hearts. It's not like it was when O'Neill first took over eight years ago... ๐Ÿ™ƒ The league's more competitive now, and those other teams are hungry for the top spot.

Still, I gotta respect O'Neill's spirit. He's been through this before and he knows what it takes to win. If anyone can do it, it's him. Bring it on! โšฝ๏ธ
 
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