Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial career is mostly associated with Manchester United and Aberdeen, but his influence on Scottish football — and Celtic in particular — cannot be underestimated. Despite having played for Rangers in his younger days, Ferguson would go on to deliver a pivotal assist that helped Celtic shift the balance of power in Glasgow at the turn of the millennium.
In the summer of 2000, Celtic were searching for a new manager amid growing frustration at Ibrox’s domestic dominance. Rangers had spent heavily and won consistently through the ’90s, while Celtic cycled through managers without sustained success. Dermot Desmond, the club’s largest shareholder, was quietly sounding out candidates to lead a new era in the east end of Glasgow.
Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Aberdeen – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – October 19, 2024 Former manager Alex Ferguson is pictured in the stands before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
As the search progressed, it was a call from Ferguson that would steer Desmond’s thinking and eventually lead Martin O’Neill to the Parkhead dugout. O’Neill was settled at Leicester City, having built a strong side and qualified for Europe, but Ferguson’s recommendation prompted a dramatic change of direction.
That intervention led to one of the most transformative appointments in Celtic’s recent history. O’Neill’s impact was immediate, delivering a domestic treble in his first season and restoring Celtic’s standing at home and in Europe. But it all began with a phone call that few fans knew had ever taken place.
He said: (the Scottish Sun), “It was a call from Sir Alex Ferguson that started the ball rolling. He phoned me and said he’d been speaking to Dermot Desmond somebody I’d never actually met before and they had been talking about the next manager of Celtic. For some unknown reason, Sir Alex said he’d recommended me.
“Celtic, at that time, had been talking to a number of different candidates. That included some big names with big reputations. But Dermot decided to take control of the situation, for one reason or another. And that’s what led to the conversation with Sir Alex. The next thing I know, I’m going for an interview in London. I was very happy at Leicester at the time, and had a really close relationship with the chairman, John Elsom.
“We had just qualified for Europe again and I was looking forward to the new season. We’d just sold Emile Heskey to Liverpool for £12million, which was a substantial amount of money in 2000. While he would have been hard to replace, I’d been told by the chairman that I would get a good chunk of that fee to strengthen the squad. There was some excitement for me about that. But suddenly I’m speaking to Sir Alex about Celtic a call I’d really and truly been waiting for then I’m in London meeting Dermot and the other Celtic board members.”
O’Neill’s arrival marked the end of Celtic’s passive response to Rangers’ spending power. The Irishman brought in key players and instilled belief and identity in a side that had been underperforming for too long. The shift was not just tactical — it was psychological.
Celtic Martin O'Neill
Celtic fans will remember that era not just for the trophies, but for the return of swagger and steel. The 6-2 hammering of Rangers, the run to Seville, and the resurgence of Parkhead as a fortress all stem from the bold appointment made possible by Ferguson’s behind-the-scenes role.
While Ferguson turned down the Rangers job in later years and cemented his Manchester United legacy, his one phone call to Desmond helped rewrite the course of Celtic history. It wasn’t about old allegiances, but recognising the right man for the job.
Without that nudge, there’s every chance Celtic may have missed out on O’Neill — and the success that followed might never have materialised. It’s a reminder that even in football, sometimes a simple conversation can change everything.
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