Kenny Dalglish says Celtic deserve huge credit for Martin O'Neill return

Published 5th Mar 2026

Sir Kenny Dalglish believes Celtic deserve "a whole lot of credit" for bringing back Martin O'Neill to stabilise the Parkhead club.

The 74-year-old Northern Irishman, who took the Parkhead club to the UEFA Cup final in 2003 during his first spell as boss, was drafted in to steady the ship when Brendan Rodgers departed in October and the Hoops hierarchy turned to him again in January when Wilfried Nancy's disastrous tenure ended.

Celtic have only lost one domestic game this year and the 2-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday night leapfrogged them above Rangers into second spot in the William Hill Premiership, five points behind leaders Hearts.

After coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday, the Hoops return to Govan this Sunday for their Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against their Old Firm rivals.

Former Celtic manager and player Dalglish, at Hampden Park to promote Premier Sports' coverage of the game, said of O'Neill's return: "He's used to being successful.

"He was under a good manager at Nottingham Forest with Brian Clough, he must have got a good education there.

"He brought that into Celtic Park and got to a European final when they got beat by Porto.

"So he's done a fantastic job any time he's been there.

"Whoever thought up the idea of Martin coming back in to babysit for a wee while, they deserve a whole lot of credit as well, because he's done a fantastic job for them."

“Kenny Dalglish was promoting Premier Sports’ live and exclusive coverage of Rangers v Celtic on Sunday from 12pm on Premier Sports 1.

Watch Premier Sports via your TV provider on Sky, Virgin TV, STV Player and Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription, and on the Premier Sports’ Player.”

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