Celtic fans should expect the worst after Callum McGregor’s recent interview revealed O’Neil’s final dressing room conversation.

Callum McGregor’s Verdict on Martin O’Neill’s Interim Spell

Callum McGregor has given a glowing assessment of Martin O’Neill’s short interim spell, insisting the Irishman and his staff played a crucial role in steadying Celtic during a turbulent period.

With Wilfried Nancy now in the door and preparing for his first match in charge, McGregor made clear that the new manager inherits a side restored in confidence and structure thanks to the work done over the past month.

O’Neill, Shaun Maloney and the temporary coaching team stepped in at a point when results, performances and morale had dipped.

What followed was a strong run of form, a much-improved rhythm in Celtic’s play and a return to the top end of the Premiership table. McGregor, who has captained the side through four managerial changeovers, admitted that the squad leaned heavily on O’Neill’s experience and clarity during a stretch where the season could easily have unravelled.

Nancy’s arrival brings a fresh chapter, but the captain stressed that the foundations laid during the interim period will make the transition far smoother.

Momentum, confidence and togetherness, three things Celtic had been lacking earlier in the campaign, are now back in the building, forming the bedrock of what the club hopes will be a surge through December and beyond.

As the new head coach begins drip-feeding his ideas into the squad, McGregor believes Celtic can now move forward without the instability that followed the previous manager’s departure.There was also acknowledgement of the competitive edge that comes whenever a new manager arrives. McGregor said the session carried the usual intensity as players pushed to make early impressions.

With Nancy observing closely and keeping his adjustments light for now, the freshness around the group appeared to lift standards as Celtic enter a decisive stretch.

He said: (Celtic FC YouTube), “Really good. We met him yesterday afternoon and he spoke really well. Really good idea, really good energy.

“First time on the pitch is obviously great, you get to see everyone, you see what everyone is about and he gets to look at the players as well. Not too long in terms of duration of the session, but starting to drip feed his ideas into the group and the group responded well.

“Yeah, we spoke quite a few times already. He’s obviously going to come in and see the group and try and lean on the experience that is already here as well.

“I said that to him the first time I spoke to him, I said I’m here, I’ll do anything I can to help you, help the group. Hopefully we have a really close relationship, it’s started really well, he’s been really open and honest.

“He’s obviously come in, it’s a really exciting week. Every week at Celtic is a big week, so a week of consequence in terms of the league and the midweek game and the Cup final. We’ll just take one game at a time, one training session at a time. He’s really excited, he just wants the players to go and play and express themselves.

“Yes, that’s always the way. The guys come in with fresh eyes, it’s important. People who have been here, you’ve obviously played games before, but it’s the same. A new manager comes in, everyone starts from scratch and you have to impress the new guy and his staff and do everything you can to be selected into the team.”

McGregor’s comments suggest a smooth transition so far, helped by the stability restored during the interim period.

One of Nancy’s first messages, that he did not want to change too much too quickly, fits well with a squad currently in good form and climbing back into contention on multiple fronts. It gives Celtic a sense of continuity at a moment when fixture congestion leaves little room for tactical upheaval.

The captain’s emphasis on communication was also notable.

Nancy’s openness has made an early impression, and McGregor made clear that a strong relationship between manager and senior players will be key to ensuring ideas translate effectively onto the pitch. With so many games arriving in quick succession, the players will need to absorb information quickly while maintaining the aggression and sharpness seen in recent weeks.

Another theme running through McGregor’s comments was accountability.

He stressed that the squad knows it must lift its levels to impress the new manager, and that competition for places is now fully reset. That freshness, combined with a manager keen to observe before adjusting, could prove valuable as Celtic approach a potentially defining stretch of the season

McGregor’s assessment paints a picture of a manager who has made a strong start by listening, observing and integrating rather than imposing immediate change.

With key fixtures coming thick and fast, that steadiness may prove vital as Celtic look to continue their resurgence under new leadership