Martin O’Neill reckons that Tony Bloom’s ambition of winning the Scottish Premiership within ten years of his investment in Hearts is certainly a strong possibility, in fact the Celtic boss actually reckons it will happen…
Cameron Devlin of Heart of Midlothian reacts after conceding a third goal scored by Callum Osmand of Celtic (not pictured) during the Scottishl Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Of course it could – and probably would – have happened last season had it not been for Martin O’Neill returning to the club in early January after Celtic disastrous experiment under Wilfried Nancy, an appointment decision that more that anything else that exposes the Celtic board as charlatans.
16.05.2026 Celtic v Hearts, SPFL Premiership Callum Osmand goal against Hearts to give Celtic a 3-1 lead in the title decider. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO/ News Licensing
“I do, yeah, I do. I think their recruitment is really good. I think that what they’ve done has put pressure on Celtic and Rangers. They’re a definite challenge,” the Celtic manager admitted.
“They kept going all last season. That was a big, big effort. They kept going and they took it right to the last couple of minutes. Are they capable of doing it? Yeah.”
Celtic supporters at Celtic Park for the 2026 title showdown with Hearts. Celtic 3 Hearts 1. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Martin O’Neill added: “I think that they’ve got a certain system in place at this minute, which has been used down at Brighton. They used it there and they’re scouring the European scene for these things.
“I thought in the opening game of the season against Aberdeen there might have been just a bit of a hangover from last season. I think they’ve put that to bed and I think they’ve come roaring back. I think they’re capable of winning the league even before that.”
Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic celebrates his teams third goal scored by Callum Osmand (not pictured) during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“If you’re looking at it from a neutral viewpoint I think it’s only a great thing for Scottish football, that the O** F*** (sic) is being challenged in a big, big way. Rightly so. So it should be as well. Hearts have taken on that and I think they’re here to stay.
“I have a lot of admiration for it. I really do. I have a great admiration for the way they stuck at it last season, the whole way through. Considering that they were up there all that time. You’re up there, you’re looking down, you feel as if ‘oh gosh, could it happen’. They kept it going right to the end.
“Okay, so they’ve lost the manager and lost a couple of players as well. But I genuinely feel that they’re a strong challenge. I think that can only be good.”
Harry Milne of Heart of Midlothian speaks to a steward during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Asked if he expects a different kind of challenge from new Hearts boss Wouter Vrancken, Martin O’Neill said “No, I don’t think so. I just think it’s the essence of the club. They went so, so close. I think inevitably they were going to lose a couple of players.
“If you’re thinking about the big centre-forward has gone to Rangers and things like that. But I think they’ve recruited really well and I just think they’re physically very strong, again, which they were last season. And yeah, they are definitely challengers.”
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Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.
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