Martin O’Neill signed off from European duty with a stirring 3–1 Celtic win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam, and the interim manager used his post-match reflections to send a clear message to incoming boss Wilfried Nancy.
The victory in the Netherlands has given Celtic’s season renewed life, and O’Neill made a point of highlighting what the new manager will inherit when he walks through the door at Lennoxtown.
O’Neill’s time back in the dugout has centred around restoring belief, simplifying roles and lifting spirits at a moment when the squad were reeling from consecutive defeats.
His record of five wins from six matches speaks for itself, but the transformation in confidence and cohesion was just as telling. That shift was visible again at De Kuip, where Celtic showed composure, structure and resilience on a European stage that has often proved unkind.
With the club now preparing for a managerial handover, O’Neill struck a tone of encouragement rather than ceremony.
He acknowledged the strengths within the dressing room, stressed the importance of building on restored confidence and made clear that Nancy will not be walking into a fractured or defeated group. Instead, he will be taking charge of a squad that has rediscovered its resolve and regained control of its season.
Speaking after the match, O’Neill delivered a measured and supportive message to his soon-to-be successor.
He said: (TCW), “He’s got some players in here who are big winners, which is great.
“And as I said to you last night, I think the most important thing is that he steps in there. I’m quite sure he’ll lean on some of those lads.
“And then it’s to try and improve the other players. That’s the most important thing, because if you start to improve, then you can go into games with more confidence.
“Confidence was obviously very, very low at the time after a couple of defeats. But, yeah, it’s just the restoration of confidence is big, and it’s keeping it going.”
O’Neill’s comments made it clear just how much repair work has already been done inside the squad. He has pulled senior players back together, given younger ones a lift and brought a bit of order to a dressing room that had lost its spark.
That stability now passes to Nancy, who will walk into a group moving in the right direction rather than one stuck in doubt.
The performance in Rotterdam showed exactly what confidence can do. Celtic played with freedom, made better decisions and looked ready to take ownership of big moments, all qualities that will matter as a new era begins.
O’Neill’s time in charge may have been brief, but he leaves Nancy with something far more positive than the situation he inherited.
Sunday’s trip to Easter Road is now likely to be O’Neill’s last game in the dugout, and another strong display would underline the progress made under him.
His message was straightforward rather than sentimental: the team is in better shape, belief has been rebuilt, and it’s now up to the next manager to keep that moving.
O’Neill steadied Celtic at a time they badly needed it, and he hands the job over to Nancy with momentum restored, and a platform to build on.
