Emile Heskey has given a clear insight into how Martin O’Neill works with players, and it paints a familiar picture for anyone watching Celtic just now. The former striker spoke about his early days under O’Neill and how quickly the manager made his mark.
Heskey had already broken through before O’Neill arrived, but the change in approach was immediate. There was no overcomplication. The message was direct, and the role was clear. That is a theme that has followed O’Neill throughout his career.
It also shows why players either respond or fall away. O’Neill demands a level, and he does not dress it up. If something is not right, he addresses it head on. That can be tough for young players, but it also creates clarity.
You can see parts of that in the current Celtic side. Players are given defined jobs, and when they carry them out, the team functions. When they don’t, they hear about it. There is no hiding place in that setup.
Heskey said: (The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast), “He was brilliant.
“Mark McGhee gave my my debut but then Martin came in. As soon as Martin came in he was like ‘you are going to play, I want you to do this, this and this’ – and that was it. I would have been 17-18. He simplified everything.
“I got battered, and I scored.
“He left me crying. He just went for me. He just wasn’t happy with me, Southampton away.
“‘If you don’t pull your finger out you are never going to make it’ – and I’m four seasons in. He must have seen something he didn’t like.
“If a manager doesn’t talk to you know you’re done, they will just leave you alone.”
That last point stands out. Silence means a player is out of the picture. If O’Neill is speaking, even if it is tough to take, it means he still sees something there. That line between criticism and belief is where players either improve or drift.
At Celtic, that approach has shown in how certain players have developed. Some have kicked on quickly once given a clear role. Others have struggled when the demands increase.
It also explains the intensity in games. O’Neill teams tend to reflect that edge. They press, they react, and they stay in matches because the message is simple and repeated.
