Bayern Munich paid a record breaking loan fee to sign Nicolas Jackson (Credits: Imago Images)
Alan McInally believes Martin O’Neill possesses a rare quality that separates truly great managers from merely good ones.
The former Celtic and Bayern Munich striker says O’Neill carries an aura that reminds him of Bavarian legend Jupp Heynckes.
McInally worked under several celebrated managers during his playing career, including Davie Hay and Billy McNeill at Celtic and Graham Taylor at Aston Villa.
His time at Bayern Munich under Heynckes gave him a close-up view of what genuine managerial greatness looks like in practice.
Heynckes famously returned to Bayern Munich on four separate occasions, including a stint when he was in his seventies, and McInally sees the same pattern emerging with O’Neill at Parkhead.
O’Neill stepped in last season to stabilise Celtic before steering the club to a remarkable Premiership and Scottish Cup Double.
McInally, speaking at the opening of the new Travis Perkins branch in Helen Street, Glasgow, admitted he initially expected O’Neill to walk away after such a successful campaign.
He said: “I was a little bit surprised. I thought he might have felt he could do no more because what he did this year was astonishing.”
McInally added: “He’s got that kind of mystique about him that great managers have. He reminds me a little bit of my old boss Jupp Heynckes at Bayern.”
O’Neill had confounded widespread expectations heading into last season, with McInally noting that many supporters had predicted either Rangers or Hearts would claim the title.
He said: “But Martin comes up with the plan of all plans and somehow does it. You see it with the fans, but especially the players.”
McInally drew a vivid comparison to his early days at Celtic, recalling Jimmy Johnstone taking part in training sessions and still looking extraordinary despite his advancing years.
He said: “There are certain people in football who have that and Martin is one of them. It would have been easy for him to walk away but if he feels fit and fancies it, then why not?”
Robbie Keane had been waiting in the wings as a potential successor, with the former Ireland striker holding talks with Parkhead power broker Dermot Desmond before O’Neill confirmed his intention to stay.
McInally made clear that O’Neill’s continuation represents far more stability than any alternative appointment could have provided at this point in time.
He said: “I can’t help but think it’s in the right hands for this moment in time. Being manager of Celtic Football Club is not like being manager anywhere else, I don’t care what anyone says.”
McInally emphasised that managing Celtic demands qualities well beyond tactical knowledge or training ground excellence.
He said: “It’s not about the coaching. It’s the man management and helping players understand exactly what it means to play for this club.”
The demands on any Celtic manager are intense, with McInally noting that some players visibly struggle to carry the weight of expectation at Parkhead.
He said: “But that’s where you see Martin’s strength. He gets the best out of players, he gets them performing under that kind of scrutiny and gets them delivering.”
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