Celtic’s Title Hunger Restored, Says Martin O’Neill After Dundee Victory

Martin O'Neill has declared that Celtic’s desire to reclaim the league title is stronger than ever after a hard-fought victory over Dundee FC brought them within three points of leaders Heart of Midlothian F.C..

Celtic had endured a difficult run in Dundee this season, losing all three previous visits to the city—twice against Dundee United F.C. and once against Dundee. Their most recent setback, a 2-0 defeat at Dundee United a fortnight ago, led O’Neill to publicly question his side’s resolve in the title race.

However, his players responded emphatically, producing a determined performance to secure a 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Yang Hyun-yun and Kelechi Iheanacho.

With Hearts earlier held to a 2-2 draw by Livingston F.C., Iheanacho’s decisive strike with 10 minutes remaining proved crucial, narrowing the gap at the top with six fixtures left to play.

Speaking after the match, O’Neill admitted he had serious doubts about his team’s mentality following the defeat at Tannadice.

“For the first time, a fortnight ago, I had to question whether we really wanted it,” he said. “In the second half of that game, we didn’t show the appetite to get back into it. The second goal set us back badly, and we failed to create anything meaningful.”

He added that the intervening period allowed the squad to regroup and refocus.

“We had time to reflect, and we’ve come back with renewed determination. We aimed to take control early today and impose ourselves on Dundee, which I believe we did. We are still in the race, and our attitude was much improved from the outset.”

Celtic demonstrated significantly greater attacking intent than in their previous outing. Yang handed them an early advantage before Simon Murray levelled for Dundee from the penalty spot, setting up a tense final half-hour.

Yet Celtic showed resilience, with substitute Iheanacho emerging as the match-winner, finishing clinically with just under 10 minutes remaining.

Reflecting on the significance of the victory, O’Neill stressed its importance in keeping their title ambitions alive.

“Had we dropped points today, it would have been a long way back. Not impossible, but very difficult. Given that Hearts dropped points, it shows how challenging every match is at this stage.”

Looking ahead, he emphasised the necessity of maintaining momentum ahead of the league split.

“We must focus on beating St Mirren F.C. next week. There’s no margin for error. It feels like we’ve had no room for slip-ups all season.”

O’Neill also acknowledged the nervous moments in the match, particularly after Dundee’s equaliser.

“We created chances, but when the second goal didn’t come, I feared it might come back to haunt us. After their penalty, Dundee grew in confidence, and it became a tough contest. A draw was not enough for us, so we had to push—and thankfully, we got there.”

The manager reserved special praise for Iheanacho, whose impact off the bench proved decisive.

“He’s had injury issues, and at 29 he should be at his peak. But he still offers a lot—he can score, hold up the ball, and link play effectively. That’s his strength. This goal will do him a great deal of good.”

Despite the presence of experienced figures such as Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney, O’Neill noted that many in the squad are navigating unfamiliar territory in a tightly contested title race.

“We have experienced players, but several have not been through a campaign like this. In recent years, Celtic have often had the title wrapped up by this stage. This time, it’s different.”

He concluded by highlighting the importance of leadership within the squad.

“For the younger players, having someone like Callum McGregor to lean on is vital. This is a new experience for many—chasing, dealing with pressure, and needing results every week.”