Shaun Maloney believes Celtic’s current campaign could go down as the most remarkable title win in the club’s history.
It has been a season filled with disruption and adversity. Celtic have worked under three different managers, with one returning for a second spell, while much of the campaign has been played with a goalkeeper battling a serious shoulder injury—one now feared to be career-ending.
Off the pitch, tensions have also been high. The relationship between the club’s hierarchy and supporters has deteriorated, leading to bans for some of the most vocal fan groups. Sections of the fan media have also been excluded from press conferences amid growing unrest.
Recruitment, once a key strength, has faltered. Celtic previously excelled at identifying and developing talent—turning low-cost signings into major profits. However, recent transfer decisions have failed to deliver the same impact, with big-money arrivals struggling to make their mark.
Despite all of these challenges, Celtic remain firmly in the title race.
Under Martin O’Neill, who has stepped in for a second time this season, performances and results have improved at a crucial stage. The experienced manager has steadied the club just when it seemed the season was slipping away.
Speaking to Premier Sports presenter Darrell Currie, assistant manager Shaun Maloney stated that if Celtic go on to win the league, it should be regarded as the greatest title achievement in the club’s history.
The season originally began under Brendan Rodgers, whose record at Celtic is exceptional. Across two spells, he has won 11 out of 13 domestic trophies. He returned in 2023 following Ange Postecoglou’s departure after a highly successful tenure.
Rodgers aimed to re-establish Celtic as a force in European football and came close to a major result against Bayern Munich in the Champions League play-offs in early 2025. However, the club’s progress stalled when the board failed to fully back him in the transfer market—most notably by not replacing a key striker for an extended period.
Frustration eventually led to Rodgers stepping down in October 2025. Martin O’Neill was brought in to stabilise the situation before handing over to Wilfried Nancy, the board’s preferred long-term appointment.
That decision quickly proved unsuccessful. Nancy lasted just 33 days, losing seven of his nine matches, including a League Cup final and a Glasgow derby defeat at home to Rangers.
With the season at risk of collapse, the club once again turned to O’Neill—and once again, he delivered.
With eight matches remaining, Celtic are right back in contention. They sit just two points behind league leaders Hearts and one point ahead of Rangers. Crucially, both rivals still have to visit Celtic Park, offering a significant opportunity for Celtic to take control of the title race.
A recent 3-1 victory over Motherwell effectively ended hopes of a four-team battle for the title, and momentum is now firmly with O’Neill’s side.
If Celtic complete the job, it will not just be another league title—it will be one of the most unlikely and memorable triumphs in the club’s history.
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