\n They say a week is a long time in politics. It can also seem like an eternity in football. All has changed utterly since Rodgers resigned and O’Neill swept into managerial power last Monday. Whilst Rodgers’ champions were slowly but surely losing their way this season, O’Neill’s version of Celtic was rediscovering its identity.\n<\/p>\n
\n That manifested itself at Hampden Park on Sunday as Celtic defeated city rivals Rangers 3-1 after extra-time in the Scottish League Cup<\/a> semi-final showdown to book a berth against Steve Robinson’s St Mirren on Sunday, December 14.\n<\/p>\n The O’Neill Factor<\/p>\n \n Belgian midfielder Arne Engels<\/a> insists that the ‘O’Neill Factor’ cannot be overlooked as the men in green and white put in a display built on energy and intent that was reminiscent of the Northern Irishman’s Celtic teams of the past.\n<\/p>\n \n It is a small wonder that Engels feels that O’Neill’s arrival at Parkhead has put a smile on everybody’s face again, players and supporters alike. According to Engels, the hunger and intensity have returned.\n<\/p>\n \n Engels, who was outstanding in the middle of the park against the Light Blues at the national stadium, said: “Yeah, I’m really happy with the performance, not only from myself but also from the team.\n<\/p>\n \n “I think we had great intensity and a great mindset, just going for everything, winning our duels, going forward, creating a lot of chances. That\u2019s why we did well. Hopefully, we can just keep it going now, not only for two or three games. We need to do it for a longer period, because that\u2019s what Celtic is about. Not doing it once, but every time.\n<\/p>\n \n “There\u2019s a really positive feeling about how everything is going, how well we\u2019re playing, and the intensity we\u2019re bringing. So I\u2019m really happy with that. I think everybody has been together with a really good feeling every time. The things going on outside our group are not things we can change.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cWhat we can change is our performances, that\u2019s true. So we just look to ourselves and try to get everyone involved again by playing well and winning games like today. Of course, the manager came in with a really positive mindset and lifted the mood. Everyone is really happy, and with the performances now, we can\u2019t ask for more.\n<\/p>\n \n “We\u2019ve got that hunger again, that intensity, and that\u2019s Celtic again. It might have been missing earlier in the season, but now we have it back. We\u2019re in the League Cup final too, so we need to keep that hunger through the next few months, the whole season, really.\n<\/p>\n \n “That intensity and hunger are what Celtic is all about, and that\u2019s what makes us great.”\n<\/p>\n The captain’s message<\/p>\n \n It was O’Neill who reminded the Celtic players last midweek that they were born winners before a ball had been kicked in earnest during his second managerial stint. That seemed to do the trick as Celtic convincingly saw off Falkirk 4-0 at Parkhead before putting their rivals firmly in their place in the Mount Florida bowl.\n<\/p>\n