Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has warned that the Scottish champions face a difficult title defense, as domestic rivals close the gap.
He spoke in his first interview since signing a one-year permanent contract on June 27, 2026.
O'Neill secured a league and Scottish Cup double last season during his second interim spell. He then locked in his permanent position on June 11.
“I think Rangers will get stronger, and Hearts won't go down without a fight, there's no question about that,” O'Neill said.
The veteran manager expressed concerns over shifting dynamics in the Scottish Premiership.
“I felt every single time that we played matches the teams were getting closer to Celtic than perhaps ever before, certainly in recent times, so those are concerns.”
Staff Stability and Reflection
O'Neill finalized his backroom staff, including Fotheringham and Maloney, as players reported for pre-season training. The appointments filled a vacancy left by Gavin Strachan.
“I thought that was very important,” O'Neill said.
“We gel together as much as anything else and, because the end result was that we won, then you start to feel that it was half decent.
So it's nice to have the staff back.”
Reflecting on last season's dramatic conclusion, O'Neill admitted the achievement has not fully sunk in.
“If I'd no longer been at the football club, I think I would have more time to digest it and say, oh that was really great, surreal.”
He added that reality might set in during their opening home match at Celtic Park.
“Maybe the first league game at Celtic Park, maybe I'll think about it then, but genuinely, no I don't think it has really sunk in.”
Commitment and Champions League Ambitions
O'Neill acknowledged that the intense nature of the role initially made him hesitate about committing full-time.
“If I'd been asked about it a day after we'd done it, I don't think I would have had the energy.”
However, the desire to avoid future regrets motivated his return. “I tried to project myself a couple of months further forward.”
Securing a spot in the Champions League group stage remains a primary objective. “Absolutely vital,” O'Neill said.
The upcoming play-off tie in August requires extensive preparation. “If we're going to do it, first of all, we're talking about trying to augment the squad.
Secondly, it's getting players prepared both physically and mentally for those games, and that becomes very, very important.”
O'Neill indicated that last season's European exit left a psychological impact on domestic performances.
“The disappointment of last season, not making it into the Champions League because of having a good run the previous year, I think that carried over to league performances.”
He concluded that the impending continental qualification fixtures carry immense significance. “Now this tie that we will be in, whoever it may be, becomes very important.”
O'Neill also intends to introduce tactical alterations, mirroring the direct, high-tempo style from his previous stint. “I think I can marry both in many aspects.
We played very quickly, played with a dash and with a lot of very, very fine players and I think we can marry both.”
He emphasized that pre-season training provides the ideal environment for changes.
“Pre-season gives you all these thoughts of, we could change little things here and there, which I think we probably can do and I think the players can take to it.”
O'Neill re-emphasized his expectation of intense domestic competition. “I think we're in for a tough old time this season.
I think Rangers will get stronger, and Hearts won't go down without a fight.”
He categorized last season's difficulties as a wake-up call for the club and younger supporters.
“For the younger supporter at Celtic, I think it was a really big thing because the last couple of seasons, having the league won sometimes even before the split had taken place, this was a real wake-up call.”
“A wake-up call for the football club, a wake-up call for maybe the younger supporter.
I think the older supporter like myself would probably feel, yeah, that was really terrific, but as far as the younger supporter would think, well listen, Celtic can make mistakes.”
