Bhoycie 
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 23: Celtic celebrate winning the Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup at Celtic Park, on May 23, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/SNS Group via Getty Images)
“So that would be it – winning football matches” – Martin O’Neill at Celtic Park – 28/10/25
When speaking of projects in football at yesterday’s post match press conference he repeated the same mantra. “The point is this year that you have to win football matches and it’s all right saying a year and it sounds great today – not so sure if I lost three in the first five that I’d be welcome”
O’Neill bristles at terms like philosophy and project.
Winning. Football. Matches.
It’s like he feels everyone has switched focus on anything bar the results to masquerade their failings. Russell Martin anyone?
His “WFM” mindset is as bold a public declaration as there ever could be.
He gives himself literally no hiding place by making this his M.O off his own accord and to all and sundry.
That self backing is f**king goosebumps stuff when you think of it.
He play’s himself down in many ways, but when you reflect, he is as sure of himself as ever when you consider the cut and dry nature of his own self determined WFM remit.
In an era of xG, low blocks, tiki-taka etc etc, just how refreshing is it to see the supposed new footballing law of how teams must play and look ripped up and destroyed by a great of the game.
Martin O’Neill proved 3 things especially amongst many others.
Knowledge is Power.
Fashion is Temporary.
Class is Permanent.
A LEAGUE AND CUP DOUBLE! Can you believe it?
I will be focussing on The Board this week on both my YouTube Channel “The Bhoycie Bus” and of course here on Read Celtic.
But today belongs to one man especially for me and I think most others – Martin O’Neill.
Daizen Maeda will warrant plenty of individual adulation also for his run-in form. Martin’s excellent form was a constant – 23 domestic wins from 27 games over 2 spells if my maths is correct.
An astonishing record.
Not bad for a relic of football’s past, left behind by the new wave stats and science based new generation?
Analytics and statistics of course have their place.
To try and use such tools and regard more effective than real EXPERIENCE of the game is something that drives me livid.
Understanding the game like an O’Neill cannot be taught.
Even the great man though had began to start doubting himself, or so it seemed based on reflective comments on TalkSport after the League Title win – “I was worried in case I was just too old to do it. And that if I failed that people would say, well, there you are. Listen, he’s not he’s a dinosaur.”
Martin O’Neill is spot on in his assertion he must be in consideration for the job.
It should be his to turn down now.
I am torn, I won’t lie.
Martin restored my emotional investment in Celtic being of the same bonkers rate all you guys and girls are.
Sick of watching Celtic PLC slowly but surely make our ambitions turn to dreams, dreams turning to impossibilities.
Leaving on this high would make me so happy for Martin and book ends the astonishing full career of the man perfectly.
From a Celtic footballing perspective though – name me one manager we could realistically get that gives you a higher % confidence in your head that we retain our trophies?
A huge summer awaits.
Thank you Martin for saving our season and our pride in Celtic.
Keep Your Eyes On The Board
Aodhán Ó Conchobhair 
Eric Knott 
Is it the aura and status from a twice European Cup winner that pushes the players that little but extra? I don’t know.
If it is a big factor then how do we get another manager with the same qualifications?
Perhaps a manager who has proven himself in Europe in managing.
But if he does stay can we drop this late late show facet of our play please !