Martin O’Neill will take to the Celtic Park dugout for the final time on Wednesday night.
Celtic host Dundee in the Premiership, hoping to overtake Hearts in the table, and put further pressure on Derek McInnes’ side, ahead of the weekend meeting under new boss, Wilfried Nancy.
This interim role for O’Neill, which has lasted just over a month, would have provided him with enough time to judge and analyse what he truly feels about this Celtic squad.
There is that viewpoint you have of the champions of Scotland from afar, but O’Neill has felt even stronger about Callum McGregor after watching him up close and personal.
What permanent role would you give Martin O’Neill at Celtic?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Martin O’Neill’s surprise with Callum McGregor at Celtic
McGregor’s late winner against St Mirren and goal against Rangers will live long in the memory bank, as it’s further proof that the skipper steps up when it matters most.
But speaking in his pre-match Dundee press conference, O’Neill admitted, ‘I didn’t realise how good he is.’
“When I was watching Celtic from afar, you could form an opinion about players,” said O’Neill. “Then find out when you are actually working with them, that’s different, either good or bad.
“For instance, the captain. I thought, from afar, the captain was a really good player. I didn’t realise how good he is. Those types of things help.”
The ‘respect’ McGregor has at Celtic
There is nobody better to lead Celtic right now than McGregor. He takes the ball in pressure situations and scores very important goals.
O’Neill noted the ‘respect’ McGregor has at Celtic and the different types of leaders he has worked with during his career.
Which player has impressed you the most since Martin O’Neill took over?
Photo by BO AMSTRUP/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
“I have had different types of captains,” added O’Neill. “Paul Lambert was a really great captain here, for me. I have had Gareth Barry at Aston Villa. I have had a number of characters.
“At Leicester, a big boy called Steve Walsh. A really great captain. All in their own way.
“Callum doesn’t just lead by example. But he is vociferous. And he has the utmost respect from the team. The utmost respect, and that goes for all of us here at the club.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox