Q: Martin, just to clear up one thing, at no stage did Dermot Desmond ever say to you, would you think about the permanent job?
Martin O’Neill: “No, absolutely not. No, he didn’t.”
Q: Is there perhaps a tinge of disappointment that you’re not the one in charge for the final?
Martin O’Neill: “No, really. Do you know what, when I’m out of here, and the final takes place, yeah, I might think about that. Not at the minute, I don’t really. And this is my job. My job is just to go in and get things reorganised, for want of a better word, and go out the minute that they say. So, yeah, that’s the way it is. But, in all of this, we’ve beaten (the)Rangers. That is massive.
Celtic at Easter Road, Sunday 30 November 2025. Hibs v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Q: You were talking there about you’re just coming in to do your job. When you agreed to take it, Celtic were eight points behind Hearts, you’re now two points behind with a game in hand. How do you assess the job then?
Martin O’Neill: “Well, yes, we have. And I am genuinely delighted with it. Really, really. We got a lesson in Midtjylland, absolutely. But whether we were capable of playing European football to that level, I think they’re a very good side. As I said to you, I’d seen them a couple of weeks earlier when they hammered Nottingham Forest.
“And then we got a bit of pride back, for what it’s been, in the performance and the result in Feyenoord. And that definitely gave us a boost today. Because I knew that we would get really tired in the last 20-odd minutes of the game, and then with Hibs scoring so soon after half-time, we were definitely on the back foot. But we saw it through, and maybe that’s what probably pleased me most about today.”
GREEN FRIDAY SALE AT CELTIC STAR BOOKS NOW ON!
Green Friday Sale Now ON – All books shown now HALF PRICE at just £10 each!
Green Friday Sale Now on at Celtic Star Books, all books other than David Potter’s Celtic in the Eighties, are now HALF PRICE! Great Christmas Shopping bargains, choose from Celtic in the Thirties, volumes One and Two, Harry Hood – Twice as Good, Bould Bhoys – Glory to Their Name – The Story of Celtic’s First Title Win, Invincible, Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style, Majic Stan and the King of Japan – Gordon Strachan’s first season at Celtic and there are also a few remaining copies of Alec McNair – Celtic’s Icicle.
All these books shown below are now HALF PRICE at only a TENNER each and please note that you will only be charged postage on the first book in your order, so order two or more and get FREE postage on the second book onwards.
Shop now at Celticstarbooks.com and support the great historical writing from our authors on The Celtic Star. High quality hardback books and the best Celtic writers all in one place. Also if you are ordering any of Matt Corr’s books he’ll be happy to add a personal dedication, just ask in notes when ordering and Matt will do the rest!
Half Price Sale Now on – All these books now only £10. Click on image to order.
