Martin O'Neill's unexpected second coming at Celtic produced a Premiership and Scottish Cup double that seemed improbable when he answered the emergency call in October. The 74-year-old legend initially agreed to hold the fort for weeks while the club found a permanent replacement for Brendan Rodgers, but circumstances kept him in charge for nearly two-thirds of the season.

"I couldn't do it if the season started tomorrow," O'Neill admitted after the 3-1 cup final win over Dunfermline, citing his age and energy levels. While he plans to meet with owner Dermot Desmond within weeks, the manager concedes Celtic will likely seek someone younger. His daughters support continuing, though his wife might have other ideas about the daily demands.

The players overwhelmingly want O'Neill to extend his stay. Right-back Alistair Johnston insists he "can see him coming back for sure," while goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo praised his man-management skills. Captain Callum McGregor adds that O'Neill "drove this team on" during a chaotic campaign where Celtic defended their title with a 19-2-2 record in 23 matches.

O'Neill's remarkable achievement came amid significant turmoil. Taking charge after Rodgers' resignation, he inherited a squad past its prime, fan unrest, and a six-point deficit to Hearts. Despite nearly exiting the Scottish Cup to Dundee, his leadership delivered two trophies and restored belief at Parkhead during one of the club's most turbulent seasons.