Martin O’Neill stood in the middle of a pitch covered in celebrating supporters and admitted he never thought he would feel anything like this again at Celtic.
The Celtic manager returned to the club earlier this season with the title race slipping away. At one stage Hearts looked completely in control of the league and Celtic’s performance level had collapsed after the defeat at Tannadice.
O’Neill changed the mood around the club quickly. Results improved, Celtic Park came back to life and the team dragged themselves into the final day still believing they could win the title. Even then, Hearts arrived in Glasgow knowing a draw would be enough.
By full-time none of that mattered anymore.
Daizen Maeda’s late winner turned the title race around before Callum Osmand sealed the 3-1 victory deep into stoppage time. Supporters poured onto the pitch as O’Neill watched Celtic become champions again more than 20 years after his first spell at the club.
The emotion around the manager after the final whistle probably told its own story.
O’Neill reflected on the day while the celebrations continued around him at Celtic Park.
He said: (Sky Sports), “Well, I must admit, I never, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I could experience those lads up there, you know, collecting, and the atmosphere, it’s just…
“The players, the coaching staff have given me a reason to live, as much as… and that’s not to say my family haven’t, you know, but this is… this is the most special place on earth, I think that.
“When there is absolute unison in this stadium, it is a sight to behold.
“And I think… obviously, the players have been absolutely magnificent, epitomised by the captain.
“But overall we could not have won it without you, absolutely not.
“Thank you very much, thank you, really appreciate it.”
O’Neill repeatedly spoke during the run-in about the crowd carrying the team through difficult moments and Saturday followed the same pattern. Celtic were nervous for long spells and Hearts defended brilliantly after Lawrence Shankland’s opener.
The game changed after the break once Celtic started pushing Hearts deeper into their own box. Kelechi Iheanacho gave them more presence between the lines while Osmand’s pace stretched the match completely late on.
Callum McGregor again drove the side through difficult moments in midfield and O’Neill singled the captain out after full-time. The manager has leaned heavily on experienced players since returning and McGregor became central to that recovery.
By the end, Celtic Park had completely lost itself. O’Neill simply stood and took it all in.
