Celtic “stand a better chance” of retaining the Scottish Premiership with Martin O’Neill’s appointment as manager until the end of the season, according to former Northern Ireland international Stephen Craigan.
O’Neill stepped in as interim boss of the Glasgow club following the departure of Brendan Rodgers in October, winning seven of his eight games in charge.
The 73-year-old made way for Wilfried Nancy, who was appointed permanent boss in early December, but the Frenchman’s ill-fated reign lasted just 33 days, with six losses in eight games, including defeat to St Mirren in the League Cup final and a league defeat to Rangers at the weekend spelling the end.
O’Neill, who won seven trophies including three league titles during his first stint at Parkhead between 2000 and 2005, steps back in with Celtic six points behind leaders Hearts, but Craigan feels that if anyone can turn things around and unite the club after a turbulent period, it is the former Northern Ireland captain.
“Martin is a man who knows how to win games of football, he’s an experienced head and has a lot of younger coaches about him who will do all the work, so he will have the words of wisdom,” Craigan, who spent the majority of his playing career at Motherwell, told BBC Sport NI.
“He’s very good with the press, but the biggest attribute he has is the ability to unite everyone at the club.
“The Celtic fans over the past three or four weeks have been singing against the board, but you can guarantee when they play Dundee United at Celtic Park on Saturday they will be singing Martin O’Neill’s name as they adore him.
“If they are to win the league, Martin in charge gives them a great chance. Hearts are top of the table and Rangers are now three points ahead of Celtic, having been eight or nine points behind at one stage, so it sets it up perfectly.”