Roy Keane and Gary Neville Agree: Martin O’Neill Has Earned the Praise at Celtic

Roy Keane and Gary Neville have reportedly found themselves in agreement over Martin O’Neill’s impact since returning to the Celtic dugout, insisting that the experienced manager has already achieved enough to deserve widespread praise from supporters and the wider football community.

The pair, known for their forthright opinions and willingness to challenge popular narratives, were united in their assessment of O’Neill’s work. Rather than focusing solely on individual results, Keane and Neville highlighted the bigger picture, pointing to the progress Celtic have made under his leadership and the belief he has helped restore around the club.

Keane was particularly impressed by O’Neill’s ability to bring authority and confidence back into the team.

“He deserves the credit he is getting,” Keane said in the discussion. “Martin has been around the game for a long time, and he understands what Celtic demands. Since coming in, he has shown personality, experience and the ability to get players responding to him. You cannot ignore what he has achieved.”

The former Manchester United midfielder also suggested that managing Celtic requires much more than simply producing results on the pitch. According to Keane, O’Neill has embraced the pressure and expectations that come with leading one of Scotland’s biggest clubs.

Neville echoed those sentiments, arguing that O’Neill’s experience has been crucial.

“Martin O’Neill deserves genuine praise,” Neville said in the remarks. “He understands the size of the club, the expectations of the supporters and the importance of creating a winning mentality. What he has done deserves to be recognised.”

The former England international also pointed towards the influence a manager can have beyond tactics and formations. For Neville, O’Neill’s ability to establish belief within the squad is one of the most important aspects of his contribution.

There is also a sense that O’Neill’s presence has created renewed optimism among Celtic supporters. Expectations at Parkhead are always extremely high, but the manager’s experience and personality have helped provide a sense of direction.

While there will inevitably be difficult moments during the campaign, Keane and Neville believe O’Neill should be judged on the overall progress he has made rather than isolated setbacks.

Their agreement is significant because both pundits are generally demanding when assessing managers and players. Their decision to praise O’Neill therefore underlines the respect his work has generated in this fictional scenario.

For Celtic, the challenge now is to build on that progress. O’Neill will know that praise can quickly turn into pressure at a club of Celtic’s stature, but the backing of respected voices such as Keane and Neville provides another indication that his work is being noticed.

Ultimately, their message is clear: Martin O’Neill has achieved a great deal since taking charge, and according to Keane and Neville, he completely deserves the praise coming his way.