Martin O’Neill said it felt “like a dream” after his embattled Celtic side pipped long-time leaders Hearts to glory in the dying minutes of an enthralling William Hill Premiership title race.
The 74-year-old, who won the league three times in his first spell as Hoops boss in the early 2000s, was summoned back to Parkhead to steady the ship initially in October after Brendan Rodgers’ departure and then in January following Wilfried Nancy’s ill-fated reign.
Celtic have been playing catch-up to Hearts since September and they eventually reeled them in at the very end as late goals from Daizen Maeda and sub Callum Osmond secured a dramatic 3-1 win over the Jambos, who had led through Lawrence Shankland before Arne Engels levelled just before the break.
“It’s surreal,” said O’Neill. “Last year I was here as a pundit. A year later to be here as manager is really really incredible. I genuinely can’t believe it. It’s like a dream.
“I never thought I would ever stand on a winner’s podium at this club again, not in a million years.
“Lifting the trophy was the best feeling in the world. There is nothing like that.”
O’Neill’s side were five points adrift at the start of April before finishing with seven straight league wins to edge two points above the Jambos.
“We have been in front for eight or nine minutes,” he said, acknowledging how late his team left it. “This group have been through a lot, a resignation, me coming in and leaving, another fella coming in and leaving. That is disturbing for a team.
“We have lots of things to put right but the fighting spirit in the camp is special. For all the tactics in the world, it is about heart.
“Great players can pick a pass, and it looks great, like the tactics are working a treat. We might not have that, so we have to show some heart.”
O’Neill said he was only confident Celtic would get over the line “when Callum Osmand ran through to stick it into an empty net” in what proved to the be last kick of the whole season.
“That was the only moment in my whole time,” he said. “Of course you have thoughts in your head that we can do it. I never gave up on the team.
“If you asked me before the Rangers game, ‘can we take it into the final day of the season?’ then I’d have taken it all day long. To come from behind in all three games, there’s a really great old spirit among the lads.
“They made a lot of mistakes in the games, but they always felt they could do it which is great.”
O’Neill paid tribute to Hearts, who led the way since late September.
“Hearts have been brilliant this year and it is a wake up call to Celtic and Rangers,” he added.
“They have been the story of the year. They were six or seven minutes from winning it and if they had they would have deserved it.”
O’Neill said managing Celtic this season has “taken its toll” and that he would anticipate next weekend’s Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline being his last in charge.
“I’ve just spoken to Dermot Desmond and he didn’t indicate otherwise,” said O’Neill. “I would imagine so.”
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