Celtic hero Didier Agathe has revealed what Martin O’Neill is really like behind the scenes.
Agathe arrived from Hibernian in 2000 for just £50,000; it quickly proved to be a bargain.
The Frenchman became a key figure in O’Neill’s side, winning seven trophies at Celtic and playing a major role in some of the club’s most memorable moments.
Despite that success, Agathe admits O’Neill was never an easy man to read.
Speaking to The Celtic Way, he explained how players often struggled to work out what their manager was thinking.
“It’s very difficult to understand the man himself. We tried to understand the manager all the time to see if he’s angry or not. Martin hides everything, you don’t know him really.
“But one thing I know about him is every time at Sunday at 9pm, I went to the church and he was there, he was at the church. So I know he was a fervent Catholic at the time. So I believe that deep inside he’s got principles.
“So probably the man management for him was also part of him. The player to consider, the kit man, to the cleaner, to the chef in the restaurant, the same way. You’re not bigger than them.
“Then because of this, he managed to put everyone together in the club. And it’s why he’s very good at winning, because he gives the belief to everyone who is around him.”
Agathe’s words echo what many former Celtic players have said over the years.
O’Neill’s skills were never in doubt, but his greatest strength often appeared to be his ability to create a collective belief throughout the club. Players bought into his message, staff felt valued, and that unity translated onto the pitch.
That much was proven last season as the double was secure amid a turbulent season.
The fact Agathe followed O’Neill to Aston Villa after leaving Celtic says plenty about the respect he had for his former manager.
Football has changed significantly since O’Neill’s first spell in Glasgow, but the fundamentals of management remain the same. Players still respond to honesty, trust and belief.
Those qualities helped O’Neill build a dominant Celtic side in the early 2000s and remain central to the reputation he enjoys among supporters and former players alike.
Agathe’s recollection offers another glimpse into why O’Neill commanded such loyalty. Behind the success and silverware was a manager who treated people the same regardless of their role, something that clearly left a lasting impression on those who worked alongside him.
