Auston Trusty has become the latest Celtic star to publicly back Martin O’Neill staying on as manager after the domestic double at Hampden.
The American defender spoke openly about O’Neill after the Scottish Cup Final win over Dunfermline and made clear how highly the dressing room rates the work done since the veteran manager returned to the club.
Trusty’s comments matter because players have repeatedly hinted at how much O’Neill changed the atmosphere during the title run-in.
Celtic looked mentally flat at points earlier in the season. Performances drifted badly after European matches, games became stretched physically and too many players looked short of confidence once pressure started building around the title race.
O’Neill simplified parts of the team.
The football became more direct at times and Celtic relied far more heavily on experienced players during difficult away matches. But the squad also started looking emotionally stronger during the final weeks of the season.
That was obvious again at Hampden.
After a nervous opening against Neil Lennon’s side, Celtic regained control through Callum McGregor and Arne Engels before eventually pulling away in the second half. Even players who struggled individually during parts of the campaign looked calmer once Celtic settled into the match.
Trusty has seen that shift from close range since O’Neill returned.
The centre-back discussed the manager’s future after the cup final.
He said: (TCW), “You don’t see too often a 74-year-old coach coming back twice to save the day.
“So it’s really magical what he’s done, coming in and really revitalising the group and winning the double.
“I think he’s earned the right to decide whatever he wants to do. He’s had a tremendous career as a player and a tremendous career as a coach.
“He’s won the league and then won the cup today. He’s earned the right.”
The “revitalising the group” line probably says the most about how players currently feel inside the dressing room.
That word keeps appearing in different ways whenever Celtic players discuss O’Neill publicly. There is a clear sense that the squad responded emotionally once he returned during the title race.
At the same time, Trusty’s comments also reflect the uncertainty still hanging over the situation. Like Neil Lennon earlier in the day, he framed the decision entirely around what O’Neill himself wants rather than speaking as though the manager has already committed to next season.
That remains the unanswered question heading into the summer.
