Martin O’Neill Must Now Lead From the Front or If and When This Celtic Ship Sinks He Will Have To Take Plenty Blame Too

When Martin O’Neill returned to Celtic, I don’t think many supporters doubted what he could bring.

His standing at the club was already secure.

His experience was beyond question.

His personality had always been one of his greatest strengths.

In Season 25/26 all these traits were cemented with an incredible League and Cup Double against all odds.

Football moves fast though.

And fast forward to Summer 2026 ahead of the new season and with Martin now our permanent manager, I am beginning to raise questions as much as it pains me to.

That is exactly why I have found some of his recent public comments so disappointing.

Not because I doubt his football knowledge.

Far from it, I think you all know that.

Because I expected somebody with Martin O’Neill’s experience to sound far more authoritative during what is becoming a hugely important period for the club.

Listening to Martin speak recently, I couldn’t help feeling that he is trying too hard to smooth over problems rather than properly addressing them.

I understand that challenge exists.

Every club outside Europe’s biggest leagues faces similar issues.

But historically, Celtic have overcome those obstacles before.

Players have chosen Glasgow.

Players have joined when Champions League football wasn’t guaranteed.

Players arrived during Covid restrictions ffs.

For me, that makes it difficult to accept the explanation that Glasgow itself has suddenly become one of Celtic’s biggest recruitment barriers.

Authority needs to be visible.

One thing that has always stood out about Martin O’Neill throughout his career has been his presence.

He has never struck me as somebody intimidated by football politics.

He played under Brian Clough.

He built successful teams.

He commanded dressing rooms.

He dominated conversations.

That version of Martin O’Neill always projected authority.

That is why I expected him to be a much stronger voice inside Celtic’s current structure.

Instead, I have come away feeling underwhelmed.

Perhaps that is unfair.

Perhaps much more is happening behind the scenes than any of us know.

All I can judge is what has been said publicly.

Based on those comments, I haven’t heard the kind of leadership I expected from someone with his gravitas.

Every word spoken by Celtic’s manager now carries weight.

Supporters analyse it.

Media report it immediately.

Every explanation shapes how supporters view the direction of the football club.

That is why I think careful messaging matters.

I think back to last Summer where Brendan Rodgers tried to say everything to everyone.

Please the fans, subtly demand more from the Club but also support the Board.

It didn’t work.

When recruitment difficulties are explained through agents, English clubs or attracting players to Glasgow, supporters naturally begin asking whether those are genuine obstacles or whether they point towards deeper problems inside the club.

Martin O’Neill is experienced enough to understand exactly how those comments will be interpreted.

That is why I found his contribution so surprising.

Instead of reassuring supporters, I felt it reinforced concerns that have existed for a long time.

One point I think is important is this.

Nobody forced Martin O’Neill to return either by the way.

He knew the structure.

He knew the expectations.

He knew the scrutiny that comes with managing Celtic.

That means he also accepts responsibility for what follows.

Supporters naturally look towards the manager when recruitment appears to stall.

If Martin believes improvements are needed, I would rather hear that clearly than hear repeated explanations about how difficult the market has become.

Supporters can accept honesty and it gives them a feeling that the Manager is striving for the best for the Club as we would be if in their shoes.

What becomes much harder to accept is the feeling that familiar explanations are replacing meaningful answers.

Generic p*sh you could call it.

I want our manager to be projecting confidence during uncertain moments and providing a clear direction of travel he wants the Club to take.

Listening to him so far this Summer, I haven’t felt that certainty yet.

I still believe he possesses the experience and personality to provide it.

That is exactly why my expectations remain so high.

It’s what will make it hurt so much if he does not deliver.

The new season is approaching rapidly.

Supporters are looking for reassurance that Celtic are ready.

For me, Martin O’Neill has to become the authoritative figure many of us expected when he returned.

Because at a club like Celtic, leadership cannot simply exist behind closed doors.

It has to be seen, it has to be heard and, above all else, it has to inspire confidence.