It was a much better day for Celtic yesterday as a proper Celtic manager restored confidence, a familiar sensible formation and had the crowd with him from the word go…
Celtic interim manager Martin O Neill. Final score Celtic 4 Dundee united 0. Celtic v Dundee United, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 10 January 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock
Jim Goodwin a few weeks ago got the benefit of playing Celtic under the kamikaze approach taken by Wilfried Nancy. Yesterday he realised that he’d not be so lucky this time with Martin O’Neill back in charge.
Both managers spoke to BBC Sportsound shortly after the final whistle at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon after Celtic’s season got going again with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over a Dundee United side that were gifted three points by Wilfried Nancy at Tannadice just before Christmas.
Here’s what both Martin O’Neill and Jim Goodwin had to say to BBC Scotland after the dust had settled, starting with the Celtic manager, back at the club for the third time after the Frenchman was sacked last Monday.
Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill reacts during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“It was delightful,” Martin O’Neill said. “We played really well in the game and in the end we won quite convincingly. You still have to score the first goal in the game, Yang takes it magnificently and we get up and running. The performance was really good.
“The players have to do the playing and it’s been a strange old week. I’ve come back in again, perhaps to haunt them as much as anything else, but the players did brilliantly, absolutely brilliantly. It’s a boost of confidence as much as anything else,” Martin noted while also having some words of praise for the Celtic home support.
“The crowd was magnificent. Even moments when we were poor they kept with us. Today was great, there was a nice atmosphere. Now, being in a dog fight for the championship, we need the crowd behind us. Today, it was all about winning the game but the performance was terrific, I don’t think I should overlook that. We played really well, got confidence back again and it was just lovely to win.”
Celtic players celebrate Yang Hyun-Jun’s opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The Celtic support did indeed play its part yesterday but also had a message for Brian Wilson on his call for Unity appearing to be no more that a meaningless soundbite. Actions speak louder than words Brian.
🗣️’I’ve come back in again, I think perhaps to haunt them as much as anything else’
Martin O’Neill praised his side after he made his return to Parkhead today⤵️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/FIXk7342uc
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) January 10, 2026
Meanwhile Jim Goodwin told BBC Scotland that with the return of Martin O’Neill, he knew his side were in for a difficult afternoon at Celtic Park.
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin and Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill at full time during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The Dundee United manager said: “We always knew today’s fixture was going to be difficult. We know the quality Celtic have got but obviously the change in management has given the players and home supporters are real lift because the atmosphere here was a lot better than what it was a week prior.”
He added: “When you come here you know you’re going to be starved of possession at times and you have to really show a bit of resilience in and around your penalty area. I think today there’s lots of areas within the goals we’ve conceded we could’ve done a lot better. When you give Celtic a two-goal advantage it becomes a mountain to climb.
“When you come here you have to do the basics well defensively, at times you need your goalkeeper to make saves and when you get half chances you’ve got to be clinical and take them, we couldn’t do that today.”
Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill reacts during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on January 10, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic’s next task is a trip to Falkirk on Wednesday night in the Scottish Premiership before attention turns to the Scottish Cup next weekend with Celtic away to Auchinleck Talbot on Sunday with the game being played at Rugby Park a week today.
Celtic’s ticket allocation is 7,361 and the Ayrshire side’s own supporters are buying their tickets in large numbers so hopefully Kilmarnock’s ground will be packed, a refreshing change from league visits where empty seats are preferred to paying football supporters.
Dundee United take on Scott Brown’s Ayr United on Saturday with the Scottish Cup tie being played at Tannadice Park.
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