Martin O’Neill was full of praise for Benjamin Arthur after the young defender stepped in at the last minute and turned in a standout display in Celtic’s win at Aberdeen.
Arthur was not meant to start the match. Dane Murray pulled up injured in the warm-up, forcing a reshuffle with kick-off fast approaching. The responsibility landed on the Brentford loanee, who suddenly found himself making his first start for the club.
It could have been a daunting situation for a player still settling in. Instead, Arthur delivered an assured performance that earned him the man of the match award.
O’Neill was quick to recognise both the circumstances and the level the defender reached on the night.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, he said:
“He has shown really good attributes in training. I think he’ll be a player in time.
“This was a big game for him to be thrown in. Because your mind, when you’re a substitute in the game, you’re thinking well, I might get on at some stage or another, but you’re not thinking about 15 or 20 minutes before kick off that you’re just going to step in the game.”
Arthur only arrived in Glasgow on transfer deadline day in January, joining from Brentford on loan. Opportunities have been limited so far, with the youngster largely waiting in the wings.
His appearance at Pittodrie was only his second outing for the club.
If there were any nerves about being thrust into such a situation, they did not show. Arthur looked comfortable and showed a calmness on the ball that caught the eye.
O’Neill also hinted that the defender has settled well into life at Celtic, even if the player himself might give a different answer.
“I think he’s enjoying his time up here. You’ll probably interview him, and he’ll say something completely different.
“But, overall, I was delighted with him.”
🗣️ “Third game in six days… It’s been a great effort by the team”
Martin O’Neill on Celtic’s win at Aberdeen, their first-half handball claim, Benjamin Arthur’s first start and Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash against Rangers ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/mtJHA2hu7Y
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 4, 2026
Arthur’s performance has at least put his name into the conversation ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox.
Auston Trusty is available again, which may see O’Neill return to a more familiar partnership alongside Liam Scales. Experience often counts for plenty in that fixture.
Still, Arthur has given the manager something to think about.
Thrown in with barely any warning, he handled the occasion well and looked like he belonged. Whether that earns him another start at Ibrox remains to be seen, but his first start in green and white could prove to be an important moment in his short Celtic spell.
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