Martin O’Neill has capped his remarkable interim spell at Celtic by being named November’s SPFL Manager of the Month, a rare achievement for a caretaker boss and one that shows the impact he’s had since stepping back into the dugout.

O’Neill has overseen a 100% league record in the Premiership during November, steadying a club engulfed in off-field turmoil and dragging Celtic back into the title race.

Tonight’s match against Dundee is expected to be his final game before Wilfried Nancy arrives, and O’Neill will be aiming to sign off with one last win before riding into the sunset.

It was a brilliant touch to see him photographed with his entire interim backroom team beside the award, recognition for a group who were thrown in at short notice and have delivered big performances.

And make no mistake: interim managers winning Manager of the Month is extremely uncommon.

Only a handful have done it in modern Scottish football:

• David Martindale – Livingston (December 2020)
Started the month as interim head coach after Gary Holt left.
Won Manager of the Month for an unbeaten December run before being made permanent midway through the period.

• John Brown – Dundee (April 2013)
Took over as interim manager in February and produced a stunning April run that won him the award.
He was handed a permanent contract at the end of that same month.

• Craig Brown – Motherwell (January & February 2010)
Arrived as caretaker in late December and immediately transformed results.
Won January’s award while still acting in that interim capacity and then repeated the feat in February shortly after being confirmed for the rest of the season.

For O’Neill to join that list, at 73 years old, walking into a civil war at the club, inheriting an injury-ravaged squad and a support on edge, is genuinely extraordinary.

Whatever happens next, this short spell has only enhanced his legacy, not risked it.

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