Tierney reveals surreal Martin O’Neill reunion and the promise he’s made to Celtic pals
As a kid, Tierney watched O’Neill’s Celtic dominate Scottish football, led by icons whose names are still spoken with reverence around Parkhead. Back then, he was just a young fan soaking it all in. The idea that he’d one day share a dressing room with the man responsible for those glory years felt impossible. Yet here he is, part of another unexpected chapter in the story of a Celtic legend.
O’Neill’s return came under dramatic circumstances. After Brendan Rodgers’ sudden exit last October, the club turned to the safe hands of the former boss once again. That initial spell brought instant stability, so when Wilfried Nancy’s brief and turbulent reign sent the season into a tailspin, Celtic’s hierarchy didn’t hesitate. They made the call, sent out the distress signal, and welcomed O’Neill back to steady a wobbling ship.
For Tierney, a lifelong supporter of the club, it has been surreal. What was meant to be a smooth homecoming when he returned last summer quickly turned into chaos, with managerial changes, inconsistency on the pitch, and a campaign that has refused to follow the script.
Still, the Scotland international admits there’s something special about working under O’Neill. The presence, the authority, and the way he handles players have made an immediate impression. While assistant Shaun Maloney takes charge of much of the day-to-day training, O’Neill’s influence is felt constantly in conversations, in subtle guidance, and most powerfully, in his team talks.
Tierney describes a manager who knows exactly how to lift a squad. A few well-timed words, a sharp one-liner, or a calm message delivered at the right moment can transform the mood. It’s the mark of someone who has seen it all and understands players inside out. Around the dressing room, that experience is obvious, and the squad is responding to it.
Despite the turmoil of the season, Tierney believes the story is far from finished. The defender knows fans have suffered through the ups and downs, but he senses that a strong finish could make this campaign even more meaningful. There’s a shared feeling that if Celtic can turn things around now, it would be remembered as one of the most satisfying recoveries in recent years.
Results have already shown signs of improvement, but Tierney is realistic. There’s no single reason why things went wrong earlier in the season. Tactical changes played a part, but so did missed chances, defensive lapses, and confidence draining away during a difficult run. What matters now, he insists, is learning from it and moving forward.
On a personal level, Tierney has quietly silenced doubts about his fitness. After battling injury problems in the past, he has already clocked up 30 appearances this season and is starting to look like his old, energetic self again. He’s unfazed by outside noise, trusting the work he puts in on the training pitch, in the gym, and during recovery sessions.
There was only one game he missed, a precautionary decision after a demanding run of matches, and since then he has remained available and ready whenever called upon. For Tierney, it’s about resilience something his career has taught him time and again.
Family and friends may feel the stress of a difficult season, but Tierney sees it as fuel rather than pressure. Setbacks, he says, only sharpen the desire to succeed. With plenty of games still to play and silverware not yet out of reach, the focus is clear: adapt, keep pushing, and help drive Celtic back to where they belong.
And with Martin O’Neill back on the touchline, guiding another generation, Tierney knows he’s witnessing something he once only dreamed about and this time, he’s determined to make it count.
