Martin O’Neill marked the beginning of his third spell in the Celtic dugout with a masterclass, as the Hoops dismantled Dundee United 4-0 at Parkhead.
Joking that he’d had to scramble for a new tracksuit after his previous interim gear was auctioned off, the Northern Irishman looked perfectly at home back on the touchline. After the tumultuous 33-day reign of Wilfried Nancy, O’Neill provided the “S-Mart” fix Celtic desperately needed, restoring the club’s identity and tactical discipline in a dominant display.
1. Back to Basics: The O’Neill Formula
Wilfried Nancy’s attempt to implement a complex, “misfitting” system resulted in six defeats in just over a month. Martin O’Neill immediately exorcised those ghosts by returning to a structured 4-3-3 formation. The result was total control, with Celtic boasting 78% possession and securing their first clean sheet since O’Neill’s previous interim stint.
By moving Callum McGregor back to a deeper starting role to control the tempo, Celtic found a balance that had been sorely missing. The “fancy Nancy” stuff was binned in favour of a winning machine that barely gave the Terrors a sniff.
2. The Resurrection of Kieran Tierney
If one player epitomised the relief in the dressing room, it was Kieran Tierney. Under the previous regime, the Scotland international was often played out of position in a reckless back three. Back at his natural left-back slot, Tierney was the best player on the park.
He was involved in almost every positive Celtic move, dovetailing perfectly with Tounekti to set up Yang’s opener before providing the pinpoint assist for Arne Engels’ second. When Tierney is allowed to plough the furrow on the left flank, Celtic look like a different animal.
3. Clinical Edge: Benjamin Nygren’s Consistency
While the starting XI did the heavy lifting, Benjamin Nygren continues to prove why he is one of the first names on the fans’ lips. Coming off the bench to score his 11th goal of the season, the Swede showed remarkable composure to sit David Richards down before dinking the ball into the net. His clinical nature provides a necessary safety net for the Hoops as they chase down the title.
4. Transfer Warning: New Bhoys Still Needed
Despite the 4-0 scoreline, O’Neill was quick to fire a “serious trouble” warning regarding the squad’s depth. The manager highlighted three key positions that need reinforcement this January:
- A Natural Number 9: Daizen Maeda eventually scored, but his finishing remains erratic when played centrally.
- Central Defence: Auston Trusty had several “wobbles” that could have been punished by better opposition.
- Ready-Made Starters: O’Neill insisted on “ready-made” signings rather than projects to ensure the title challenge stays on track.
5. Dundee United: The Terrors Tameness
Just 24 days ago, Jim Goodwin’s side had bullied Celtic at Tannadice. At Parkhead, they looked like a shadow of that team. Aside from a single chance where Owen Stirton hesitated when clean through, Kasper Schmeichel barely dirtied his gloves. United have now failed to win at Parkhead in 51 attempts—a run stretching back to Boxing Day 1992.
FAQ: Martin O’Neill’s Return to Celtic
Who scored for Celtic against Dundee United? Goals were scored by Hjunjun Yang (27’), Arne Engels (32’), Benjamin Nygren (64’), and Daizen Maeda (69’).
How many games did Wilfried Nancy manage? Wilfried Nancy was in charge for just 33 days and eight matches before being replaced by Martin O’Neill.
What is Celtic’s next move in the transfer market? Martin O’Neill has identified the need for a striker and central defensive reinforcements as his top priorities for the January window.
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
