Martin O’Neill has revealed how he became Celtic manager in 2000.
The current Republic of Ireland manager experienced great success during his five years in Glasgow, winning three league titles, three Scottish Cups and the League Cup. He also brought the team to the 2003 Uefa Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Jose Mourinho’s Porto, and remains Celtic’s most successful manager since the great Jock Stein.
Rangers had been dominating Scottish football at that time, winning 10 of the previous 11 league titles, but O’Neill helped break their hegemony, building a great Celtic team.
Rangers have their former player and boyhood fan to thank for helping bring O’Neill north from Leicester City.
O’Neill has revealed that Alex Ferguson recommended him to Dermot Desmond, Celtic’s majority shareholder, for the manager’s position following the disastrous reign of John Barnes.
The former Manchester United manager gave O’Neill a call and set up the meeting between the pair. Ferguson knew Desmond as the Irish businessman had a stake in United at the time.
Martin O’Neill reveals Sir Alex Ferguson role in #Celtic appointment.https://t.co/uLjBj6VPn9#bbcsportscot pic.twitter.com/9ZtVzBbZD1
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) October 17, 2016
Ferguson grew up near Ibrox stadium, supported the club growing up and played for them between 1967 and 1969. He would later turn down the chance to become the club’s manager.
O’Neill also spoke to BBC Scotland about how the decision to leave Leicester came about. The Derry native had experienced success with the club, gaining promotion to the Premier League and winning two League Cups, but ultimately couldn’t turn down the chance to become Celtic manager.
“Definitely sad to leave Leicester. I had a few moments of anxiety about it, but it was Celtic I was going to,” O’Neill said.
“Childhood days, naturally from where I was you were either Celtic or Rangers, brought up in Northern Ireland, and of course I was heavily into Celtic.
“So this opportunity to go and manage the club was something I didn’t feel I could possibly turn down. Plus the fact they were in a bit of difficulty – I think Rangers had won the league by about 20 points and were really dominating Scotland.
“So here was this opportunity – a fantastic club, playing second fiddle to Rangers for some time and an opportunity to turn the tables.”
“I remember the words of my father who did say ‘if you ever get the opportunity to play for Celtic, then go and take it’.
“Unfortunately he wasn’t around the time I was going to go and manage them. I think there’s always a wee bit too much made of making people proud but I think if my father had been around, I think he would have been, he would have been absolutely delighted.”
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