Dalglish hails magnificent Martin

Kenny Dalglish hailed Martin O’Neill as “a magnificent servant” to Celtic after the Irishman confirmed he would bring his five-year spell at the club to an end after Saturday’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup final.

Gordon Strachan will take over the Celtic hotseat on June 1 after O’Neill announced he would be stepping down to spend more time with his wife Geraldine, who is battling a serious illness.

The Bhoys have been a rejuvenated force under O’Neill, making headway in Europe and winning three of the last five Scottish league titles.

But his departure did not arrive as any great shock this lunchtime, with the former Leicester boss having hinted last week that he would take a break from football.

Dalglish said: “I am not surprised because I think the family will come first and it always should do.”

The Celtic and Liverpool legend told Sky Sports News: “If Martin has a problem that is more important than football then he’s definitely entitled to do it. No-one at Celtic Park, no supporter would hold it against him.

“The man has been a magnificent servant to the club and if that is what Martin wants to do then everyone should respect that.”

The appointment of Strachan was welcomed by his former Aberdeen team-mate Neale Cooper.

And Cooper believes Alex Ferguson deserves some of the credit for Strachan landing one of the biggest jobs in British football.

Cooper – named as Gillingham’s new boss earlier this week – played with Strachan in Aberdeen’s great team of the early 1980s.

Ferguson was the mastermind of that team’s European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in 1983 – and a host of the players which made up that side have gone on to become managers and coaches in their own right – among them Rangers boss Alex McLeish.

Cooper said: “I think almost all of that team went through their coaching badges and that had a lot to do with Fergie pushing us to do that.

“It is incredible to think how many players from that team went into management or coaching – Gordon, Billy Stark, John Hewitt, Eric Black, Jim Leighton, Alex McLeish, Neil Simpson and myself.

“They have all been involved in management of coaching at some stage and I would say Fergie was a big influence on that.”

O’Neill will leave Celtic knowing that he is regarded as the most successful manager since Jock Stein.

Strachan will be equally aware that he has taken on a massive job, after taking a break from football himself just over a year ago.

But Cooper believes Strachan has both the knowledge and personality to be a success. He added: “Martin has been an excellent manager and I’m sure everyone will be sad to lose him.

“But they have a great character taking over there. It is a fantastic job and Gordon has great experience in the game.

“He has had a nice break from football but Celtic are a big club and Gordon knows that. He is the kind of person who will do well.

“Gordon is a tremendous character – he is full of enthusiasm and says what he feels, which a lot of people like about him.”

Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell warned Strachan the fans will expect similar high standards under his charge.

He said: “The Celtic fans will have huge expectations after the five years Martin has had here. He has had a very successful five seasons and they will be looking for Gordon to get off to a flier the same as Martin did in his first season.”

Another Celtic legend, Jimmy Johnstone, believes O’Neill deserves credit for having the strength to quit the job he loved.

Johnstone was struck down with motor neurone disease three years ago and he has applauded the Irishman’s decision to put his family first in difficult circumstances.

He said: “There is nothing more important in life than family and I am full of admiration for Martin and I wish him and his family all the very best.

“It’s very sad to see him go but family is worth more than anything.”

Former Celtic captain Tom Boyd added: “I am very surprised that he is leaving but obviously it is due to the situation with his wife and I don’t think anybody can say anything against it.

“When he makes a decision, that’s it – he stands by that.”

Lou Macari, a former Parkhead boss, added: “It was a decision Martin had to make and he will be a big loss for Celtic.

“I’m sure every Celtic supporter understands his situation and he will leave with all of their best wishes.

“Anyone who takes over from such a successful manager faces a tough job so we will just have to wait and see what happens.”