“MARTIN O’NEILL STUNS FANS – ‘THIS IS NOT A RESPONSE WE WERE HOPING TO HEAR’ … ‘HE IS DONE WITH US’”
Martin O’Neill has sent shockwaves through the Celtic fanbase after delivering a brutally honest response in a trending interview when asked about the possibility of a return to Parkhead following Wilfried Nancy’s widely criticised spell in charge.
With pressure mounting on Celtic’s hierarchy after a run of inconsistent performances and growing unrest among supporters, O’Neill’s name had resurfaced as a symbol of stability, identity, and a return to familiar values. Many fans hoped the former interim manager and club legend might at least entertain the idea of helping the club through another turbulent period.
Instead, his response landed like a hammer blow.
Speaking calmly but firmly, O’Neill made it clear that a return to Celtic is not something he is considering, dismissing the speculation in a way that stunned supporters and pundits alike.
“This is not a response people are hoping to hear,” O’Neill said. “But Celtic doesn’t need me to come back and relive old times. The club needs clarity, direction, and leadership that looks forward, not backward.”
The words quickly went viral, with many fans interpreting them as a definitive closing of the door.
Asked directly whether Wilfried Nancy’s struggles had made him rethink his stance, O’Neill was even more blunt.
“If a manager fails, that doesn’t mean you recycle the past,” he added. “Celtic is bigger than any one individual, including me. I’ve done my part. That chapter is finished.”
For a fanbase already frustrated by tactical confusion, defensive frailties, and what many see as a loss of authority under Nancy, O’Neill’s comments felt like a rejection not just of a job, but of the emotional plea coming from the stands.
Social media reaction was immediate and emotional.
“He is done with us,” one supporter wrote.
“That hurt more than losing a derby,” another added.
Others defended O’Neill, saying his honesty should be respected and that Celtic must stop leaning on nostalgia.
O’Neill’s legacy at Celtic remains untouchable, defined by discipline, European nights, and a clear identity that many fans feel has eroded. That is precisely why his refusal has hit so hard. To many supporters, his comments confirmed a painful reality: the club cannot rely on its past heroes to fix present problems.
