Dane Murray reflects on Brendan Rodgers’ shock Celtic exit

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However, Murray revealed he was left stunned by Rodgers’ exit, describing the moment as a shock to the dressing room, before highlighting the impact of O’Neill’s return in restoring stability during a turbulent period.

Rodgers’ departure initially threw the campaign into uncertainty, but O’Neill’s arrival helped turn things around and guide the team through a difficult spell.

Speaking to TCW, Murray said: “No one really saw it coming to be honest at the time [Rodgers resignation]. But he [Rodgers] was really good with me, the gaffer. I still call him the gaffer!”

“And Kendo [John Kennedy] as well. At the time it was a big shock, but football moves on, doesn’t it?” I think when the gaffer [O’Neill] came in and all his staff, I think his staff are a really big part of how well we are doing as players, especially.”

“I think the tactics that we get from all his staff, then the game plan we get going into games, there’s a real clear message behind it.”

“So I think that really helps with being players that we can go out and perform and show what we can do with having the instructions really to go and perform.”

Across his interim stints this season, O’Neill has overseen a remarkable turnaround – closing a significant deficit to Hearts in the Premiership, eliminating the Ibrox club from both domestic cup competitions, and guiding Celtic through their Europa League group campaign when it looked certain the Hoops would be heading for an early exit.

Conor Spence