"He came. He conquered. He nicked a tracksuit. Martin O'Neill's return to Celtic has been anything but dull. Box office news conferences, an Old Firm cup semi-final victory, a revival of fortunes in the league, and line after line lapped up by the adoring Parkhead support. The adulation for the 73-year-old pours out of the place, and on Wednesday, it was gushing on his final bow as Wilfried Nancy prepares to take charge."
"After Celtic's 1-0 win over Dundee brought them level with Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership, O'Neill led a lap of honour around Celtic Park, players applauding him in his wake, and he played to the gallery singing his name. "These players have been absolutely fantastic and that's why they are champions," he told the crowd. "It's been a privilege.""
"Back in the guts of the Celtic Park main stand speaking to the media, O'Neill's form mirrored that of the team he's helped haul back on the rails. "Do you know what? I'm going to take the tracksuit," he told the press pack. "Steven, the kit man, he doesn't know, but I'm putting this in the bag. "Seriously, absolutely. I'm definitely taking this.""
Martin O'Neill returned to Celtic and immediately boosted results and atmosphere with box-office press conferences, an Old Firm cup semi-final victory and a league revival. The 73-year-old received intense adulation and led a lap of honour after a 1-0 win over Dundee, with players applauding and fans singing his name. He praised the squad as champions and called his brief tenure a privilege. He jokingly admitted he would take a kitman’s tracksuit. O'Neill's showmanship and coaching steadied a club shaken by board-stand discord, AGM disruption, protests over transfers and Champions League failures, restoring unity and calm.
Read at www.bbc.com
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