'I've had the time of my life' - Martin O'Neill bids emotional Celtic farewell after Hoops defeat Dundee at Parkhead
The Hoops icon told Celtic fans that they’re the ‘best in the world’ in his post-match speech.
It may not have been a vintage Celtic performance, but the Hoops got over the winning-line against Dundee in Martin O’Neill’s final match in the Parkhead dugout.
Daizen Maeda opened the scoring after just 11 minutes with a brave header and had to wear a bandage for the rest of the game for his troubles. The Hoops weren’t able to kick on from the early opener in what was a frustrating evening in the final third. Dundee had opportunities themselves, namely Simon Murray’s first half chip which hit the crossbar, but Maeda’s goal ended up being the difference.
With both Rangers and Hearts stumbling, the three points was all that mattered for Martin O’Neill, as he bids an emotional Hoops farewell. During his interim spell he has had a flawless domestic record, winning six from six. As the club legend now passes the torch to Wilfried Nancy, his esteemed reputation at Celtic Park has only grown more prestigious over the past five weeks.
‘I’ve had the time of my life’
During his post-match farewell speech to the fans, O’Neill was as humble as ever, praising the players for their efforts during his short tenure. He said: “these players have been absolutely fantastic, honestly. That’s why they are champions. It has been a real privilege to work with them and I have had the time of my life here the last five or six weeks. Thank you.”
Yet again, O’Neill’s name echoed around Celtic Park at full time. When asked about his response to the support he’s had from the Parkhead faithful, he simply answered: “they [the fans] need reminding that they are the best in the world!"
The club took to X to thank O’Neill for his service over the past five weeks: “Tonight marks Martin O’Neill’s final match as interim manager of #CelticFC Our thanks and best wishes go to Martin and his backroom staff for all their efforts.”
‘A relief to win’
On the game itself, O’Neill told Celtic TV he would’ve liked a more comfortable victory to bow out on, but was pleased the players dug in for the three points. He said: “I felt as if we always needed not just the first goal but the second goal just to take anxiety away. We missed a number of great, great opportunities to do that and then it becomes a nervy last 10 or 15 minutes, anything can happen at that stage.
“But overall, the players have been terrific. That's the third game in six days so they’re entitled to be a bit tired, particularly coming back after a really strenuous game against Feyenoord and then to go to Easter Road and win. It might not have been swashbuckling, but if we'd got the second goal, I think that would have, taken the shackles off us. But we've won, which I keep saying is the most important thing. It was a relief to win because it keeps us there [high in the table].
“The reception I got is really fantastic. But the backroom staff have been sensational. And do you know what? The game's still about players. They've turned up and won the matches. We've had a number of serious injuries to some major players here. We've had to do without them. But the starting players have stepped up to the plate every single time.”