Martin O'Neill leads Celtic to Premiership title in dramatic 2026 finale

Celtic completed an unlikely seven-game winning streak to claim the 2026 Premiership title on the final day.

Celtic's rocky March start A crushing 2-0 loss at Tannadice to Dundee United in March left Celtic five points behind Hearts and two behind Rangers. Manager Martin O’Neill described the defeat as deeply painful but insisted hope remained for the season. He demanded seven consecutive wins to close the gap. "We disappointed an awful lot of people today," O’Neill admitted. "It’s been difficult since I set foot in the place. This is a blow but we’re not finished yet." ## Seven straight wins stun rivals O’Neill’s call for seven straight victories became a reality until the final matchday. Celtic secured 18 points from 18 possible while in pursuit mode, grinding out tense results. The team’s relentless effort stood in stark contrast to the final weeks under Brendan Rodgers, which lacked the same fighting spirit. They also outperformed a Hearts side that had remained unbeaten for most of the season. ## A season of lows and a title gained Celtic finished with 21 points from their last seven games to claim the title. Their campaign total of 82 points marked a drop of 10 from last season, 11 from the season prior, and 17 from the season before that. The side scored just 73 league goals, their lowest tally in 19 years, and conceded 41, their highest total in 33 seasons. Key defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston played only 13 league games combined. ## Controversies shape the campaign The title race was heavily influenced by contentious refereeing decisions, particularly in recent weeks. Fans voiced frustration over multiple incidents they believed went against both Celtic and Hearts over the past 10 months. The board was urged to conduct a thorough review rather than celebrate the title alone, as the club’s standards appeared to be slipping. ## Early chaos under Rodgers At the season’s outset, Brendan Rodgers’ side looked unstoppable, but a chaotic Champions League exit followed. Two matches without a goal and a summer transfer window that angered supporters set the tone. Rodgers later compared his squad to a ‘Honda Civic’ rather than the ‘Ferrari’ he desired, criticizing the business done in the market. After defeats to Dundee and Hearts in October, he resigned. Major shareholder Dermot Desmond issued a scathing statement calling Rodgers ‘divisive, misleading, and self-serving,’ accusing him of fostering a toxic atmosphere. ## Nancy’s brief tenure worsens turmoil Wilfried Nancy was appointed manager next, backed by head of football operations Paul Tisdale, but his reign lasted only two league games. Losses to Hearts and Dundee United, plus a League Cup final defeat to St Mirren, deepened fan unrest. Supporters protested against perceived poor decisions, indifferent communication, and a lack of direction within the hierarchy. At November’s AGM, Desmond’s son Ross accused fans of attempting to ‘dehumanise and vilify’ chairman Peter Lawwell and CEO Michael Nicholson, calling the criticism ‘shameful.’ ## Boardroom upheaval fuels instability Lawwell resigned in December following abuse and threats. Nancy and Tisdale were dismissed in January after Motherwell beat Celtic 2-0 and Rangers won 3-1 at Parkhead. By then, the club had no permanent manager, chairman, sporting director, or head of football operations. The team appeared mentally defeated as the season reached its midpoint. ## O'Neill’s second act brings calm Martin O’Neill returned as interim manager in January, two decades after his first spell. His second stint began with five straight league wins, but the January transfer window saw only slow arrivals: Julian Araujo, Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu, Benjamin Arthur, Joel Mvuka, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Araujo impressed before injury, while Oxlade-Chamberlain scored late winners against Livingston and St Mirren. ## Fan protests and on-field battles Unrest continued with statement wars and protests. The Green Brigade ultras were banned following allegations of assault on a steward. After a 2-1 loss to Hibs in late February, Celtic sat third, eight points behind Hearts with a game in hand. A 2-2 draw at Ibrox on March 1 briefly narrowed the gap. O’Neill’s side then embarked on an improbable seven-game winning streak to overhaul the deficit. ## Dramatic late-season moments Five of the seven wins came by a single goal, with three decided in stoppage time. A highly disputed penalty decision in the penultimate game at Fir Park sparked fierce debate between fans. Referee John Beaton faced threats requiring police protection at his home. The controversy reflected the season’s volatility as O’Neill guided Celtic through chaos to the title. ## O'Neill's fairytale redemption O’Neill’s leadership bridged the divide between fans and the board, reviving a team that appeared lost. Despite doubts during the bleakest moments, he delivered a fourth title in his two spells. His triumph capped a season of hostility turned into happiness, proving the veteran manager still had the magic to steer Celtic through turmoil.