‘Bit-part’ O’Neill hails Celtic mentality following dramatic title win

Martin O’Neill said he only played a bit-part role in Celtic’s title win as he praised his side’s mental fortitude to beat Hearts on the final day of the season.

As they have done so many times this term, the Hoops came from behind at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon, winning 3-1 to finish on top of the Scottish Premiership table.

Hearts only needed a draw to break up the Old Firm’s duopoly and took the lead through Lawrence Shankland late in the first half, but the hosts levelled matters from the penalty spot in stoppage time. Arne Engels converted from 12 yards out after Alexandros Kyziridis handled the ball in the area.

The Edinburgh outfit held on for dear life as Celtic cranked up the pressure in the second half, but Daizen Maeda broke their resolve in the 87th minute. The attacker’s goal was initially ruled offside after he poked home Callum Osmand’s low cross, but a VAR review reversed the decision.

Osmand got on the scoresheet himself in the 98th minute, tapping home the easiest goal of his life after goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow ventured forward in search of an equaliser. The goal sparked scenes of pandemonium as fans invaded the pitch, with some supporters harassing the stricken Hearts players.

‘Bit-part’ O’Neill hails Celtic mentality following dramatic title win

O’Neill twice came out of retirement this season to revitalise Celtic amidst an often chaotic and substandard campaign. He ends it with his fourth Scottish Premiership title and his first in 21 years since.

“I had a great team back then,” he told Sky Sports. “That team won their matches for me and this is exactly what this team has done, they’ve won the games for me.

“Celtic today, when there is unison in the stadium, it’s rocking. And they never give up. Maybe I did, but they didn’t.

“I’m never sure about momentum because that can change in an instant. People kept saying we had momentum and we were striding hard. If you’d asked me before we played Rangers, would I take it into the final day? I would’ve bitten your arm off. So, we did it here. If Hearts had gone and got the result we couldn’t have done any more. We put our heart and soul into the games.

“We made plenty of mistakes but there is plenty of courage in the team. I’m not talking about physical courage but mental courage which has carried us over the line.”

O’Neill says his return to the Celtic dugout has rejuvenated him, but doesn’t know if he would come back for another season.

“I’m a bit part in proceedings,” the Irishman added. “The coaching staff have been magnificent, but you have to have a response to that. I just think the players see me every day and they think ‘he’s a terribly old man and what is he doing here!’

“But they have given me a rejuvenation, seriously, I am rejuvenated. Away back in October, I was just having a coffee on the King’s Road down in London, enjoying retirement, although never really enjoying retirement, and I get a call to come back and then I get a call again in January.

“Obviously I thought the days here of me lifting a trophy in front of these fans at Celtic Park was well and truly gone.

“I don’t know about next season. It does take its toll.”

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