Martin O’Neill: Kerrigan feels Celtic have a better chance of success with O’Neill back

Celtic have a “better chance” of retaining the Scottish Premiership title with Martin O’Neill appointed as manager until the end of the season, according to former Northern Ireland international Stephen Kerrigan.

O’Neill took over as interim coach of the Glasgow club after the departure of Brendan Rodgers last October, and won seven of his eight matches in charge.

The 73-year-old made way for Wilfried Nancy, who was appointed permanent manager in early December, but the Frenchman’s ill-fated reign lasted just 33 days, with six defeats in eight games, including a defeat to St Mirren in the League Cup final and a league defeat to Rangers at the weekend spelling the end.

O’Neill, who won seven trophies including three league titles during his first spell at Parkhead between 2000 and 2005, returns to Celtic’s ranks six points behind leaders Hearts, but Kerrigan feels if there is anyone who can turn things around and bring the club together after a turbulent period, it is the former Northern Ireland captain.

Kerrigan, who spent most of his playing career at Motherwell, told BBC Sport: “Martin is a guy who knows how to win football games, he is experienced and he has a lot of younger managers who will do all the work, so he will have words of wisdom.”

“He’s very good at dealing with the press, but his biggest attribute is the ability to unite everyone at the club.

“Celtic fans over the last three or four weeks have been singing against the board, but you can guarantee that when they play Dundee United at Celtic Park on Saturday, they will be singing Martin O’Neill’s name because they adore him.

“If they want to win the league, Martin in charge gives them a big chance. Hearts are top of the table and Rangers are now three points ahead of Celtic, having been eight or nine points behind them at one stage, so it makes things work out perfectly.”