The legendary Hoops gaffer has been stuck in the middle of a civil war that has engulfed Parkhead
06:00, 07 Feb 2026
The empty Green Brigade section
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The empty Green Brigade section(Image: SNS Group)
Brian Wilson called for “unity”.
But Celtic fans are in mutiny against the club’s board - boycotting tonight’s clash with Dundee in protest. In the middle of it all is 73-year-old Martin O'Neill, tasked with saving the club’s season amid growing unrest off the pitch.
And the legendary gaffer admits he has been left disheartened by the civil war that has engulfed Parkhead. There will be thousands of empty seats come kick-off after the Celtic Fans Collective called for a show of defiance in a bid to ramp up pressure on the club’s hierarchy.
The activist group - backed by hundreds of CSCs across the world - are campaigning for the removal of Michael Nicholson as CEO and the reinstatement of the Green Brigade, who have been locked out of the stadium since November.
Interim chairman Wilson extended an olive branch in a recent club TV interview and has since arranged to meet with the banned ultras group in a bid to ease simmering tensions.
Dejected O’Neill just hopes a middle ground can be found and the club can finally rally together for the crucial end-of-season run-in.
He said: “I think there's a definite sadness, really, as much as anything else. When I left this club in 2005 I thought there was a real strong togetherness, real strong togetherness.
“There's always been a few things aimed against the board. Celtic were accused of having the biscuit tin mentality years and years ago, were told they didn't do this and didn't do that.
“But it all seemed so almost innocent by comparison or contrast to what's happening now. While I accept that life changes, it is a bit sad to see it at the moment. I'd like it to, if it can, be resolved.
“If some sort of conversations take place, that's the only way it can be resolved. Not stand-offs.”
While the Green Brigade remain a divisive presence within the Celtic support, the hardcore group bring colour and atmosphere to the stadium - something that has been badly missing since their section was shut down.
O’Neill admits they are missed.
The Green Brigade
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The Green Brigade(Image: SNS Group)
He said: “Yeah, of course, absolutely. I think the vociferous part of the ground is still really important, of course. I'd like to see them all back.”
Renowned across the globe as one of the best atmospheres in Europe, Celtic Park has felt soulless at times this season.
Despite surging into an early 3-0 lead over FC Utrecht last month, you could have heard a pin drop in the home end as fans sat with a finger on their lips.
The mood is unrecognisable from the days when O’Neill was in charge for those electric European nights under the lights during his iconic first spell.
He said: “When I was here way back in 2003 when we were flying, we could have moans if Henrik Larsson hadn't scored after three minutes.
“The European nights and the games against Rangers were phenomenal – absolutely phenomenal. I remember us playing Liverpool in the first leg and John Robertson was standing beside me.
“I honestly couldn't hear what he was saying. It was that loud. It was breathtaking. And people whose experience of those days would be maybe even shocked to find that it is not as strong as it was then. But that can come back again, there's no question about.
"We were 3-0 up after 20 minutes [against Utrecht]. It was quiet, but I didn't feel it was anti ... but maybe there's an expectation because we've got ourselves into this position with a couple of really good results away from home that we should automatically win the game. But that's never been the case.”
Perhaps supporters are following the lead of the muted chief executive.
Under-fire Nicholson has refused to engage with the media for more than three years, with thousands of fans holding him responsible for botched transfer windows, a humiliating Champions League exit and the shocking appointment of flop boss Wilfried Nancy.
O’Neill, though, insists he has a solid working relationship with the embattled supremo.
He said: “I've been absolutely fine with him. Michael has taken on this role and I don't know how long he's been in situ with that.
“I had this month working closely with him and anything we've tried to do, he's tried to push forward. That's been really encouraging.
“But it's like anything else, we as a football club, whatever we say about it – we've got to learn. Seriously, we've got to learn.
“If you're talking about in normal dealings with people, we've things to do ourselves, look at ourselves.
“But the great thing about it from Brian Wilson's point of view, he's pretty keen for that to happen, which I think is overdue."
CEO Michael Nicholson
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CEO Michael Nicholson(Image: SNS Group)
With the off-field drama dominating the headlines, O’Neill won’t allow his players to take their eye off the ball against Dundee.
He said: “If you can keep winning football matches it should have some sort of effect. After all the conversation we are having, that has to be my particular focus, to try and win the games and if it's at all possible, cut out the noise.
“But it's encouraging to find out that the interim chairman wants to have this dialogue. I think that's the first step.”
O’Neill is likely to ring the changes as he prepares for a relentless fixture schedule, with Celtic facing eight games across a jam-packed 25 days.
Wednesday’s postponed trip to Pittodrie has only added to the strain, with the rearranged clash on March 4 coming on the heels of powderkeg away trips to Stuttgart and Ibrox.
O’Neill was frustrated by the late call-off and admits the gruelling run is a worry.
He said: “We went the night before because of the weather and the weather warnings all around about the place.
“Apparently it hadn't stopped raining in and around that area for about 30 days.
“So there's a fairly decent chance that the match might have been in jeopardy at some stage or another, even before we travelled. So that’s life.
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“The schedule is a concern. In 20 days we could be knocked out of two tournaments. We could get beaten on Saturday and we could be knocked out against Stuttgart.
“But at this minute it's looking pretty ominous in many aspects, particularly since we put the Aberdeen game in there. So that's three away matches in Stuttgart, Rangers and Aberdeen in six days.
“We have to deal with it. That's why we tried to get a couple of extra people in to help. I'm hoping that that's exactly what they're going to do.”