JOHAN MJALLBY has revealed what Martin O’Neill’s instructions were to him when the Irishman took over as Celtic boss.

The defender saw two managers leave the scene at Celtic Park – one being Jo Venglos, the man who signed him and the disastrous John Barnes experience the other.

When O’Neill came in, Johan was certain he was going to be sold by the new Celtic gaffer as he wasn’t one of his players.

However, Johan became a regular in O’Neill’s side to the point when you think of Johan Mjallby it’s easy to put him down as a Martin signing.

The Swedish defender, nicknamed ‘Dolph’ for his uncanny likeness to Rocky Four bad guy Dolph Lundgren (Ivan Drago) was a rock at the heart of the Celtic defence.

Alongside Bobo Balde and Joos Valgaren – the trio were formidable.

Mjallby can still remember one of the first training sessions with O’Neill and how the manager was not backwards at coming forwards.

Johan also revealed what he still calls Martin to this day.

“The gaffer. I still call him that. We had amazing times when he was Celtic manager.

“But I worried he would sell me. I wasn’t his player. He took over in 2000 and simply told me to kick it, head it, clear it. Defend with my life.

“And if I had the ball I was to give it to someone more talented.”

That sounds like O’Neill.

Mjallby went onto be assistant manager at Celtic under Neil Lennon’s management and enjoyed a great amount of success as a coach at Celtic Park.

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