Brendan Rodgers’ resignation has reopened the Celtic time capsule. With Martin O’Neill stepping back into the dugout on an interim basis, it feels only right to revisit his original Parkhead revolution – and rate, one by one, the 23 signings that defined his five-year reign.
When Martin O’Neill arrived in the summer of 2000, Celtic were fragile, Rangers dominant, and the mood flat. Within a year, O’Neill had delivered a domestic Treble, restored belief, and built a side that would march all the way to Seville in 2003. His recruitment was bold, expensive by Scottish standards, and largely transformative.
Across five seasons, he signed 23 players for a combined outlay of around £30 million – a figure that reshaped Celtic’s modern identity.
Here, we rate each signing (1–10) based on impact, value, and legacy.
2000/01
Chris Sutton (£6m) – 9/10
The catalyst. His partnership with Henrik Larsson was devastating, his physicality and intelligence redefining Celtic’s attack. –
Neil Lennon (£5.75m) – 8/10
The midfield anchor. Not glamorous, but essential. Seven years of snarling consistency.
Joos Valgaeren (£4.8m) – 7/10
Reliable in the back three, part of the Seville run. Injuries curtailed his influence. –
Alan Thompson (£2.75m) – 9/10
Big-game player. His left foot tormented Rangers; a scorer in countless Old Firm wins.
Rab Douglas (£1.2m) – 6/10
Solid domestically, but haunted by European errors.
Didier Agathe (£50k) – 8/10
From Hibs trialist to European nights. Pace, width, and bargain of the era.
Ramon Vega (loan) – 6/10
Short-term but effective. Helped secure the Treble.
Troy Douglin (loan) – 1/10
A footnote. Never featured.
2001/02
John Hartson (£6m) – 8/10
A battering ram with goals. Injuries aside, a talismanic presence.
Steve Guppy (£700k) – 4/10
O’Neill loyalist, but peripheral.
Momo Sylla (£400k) – 3/10
Squad filler, rarely convincing.
Bobo Balde (free) – 8/10
Cult hero. Erratic, yes, but immense in Europe.
2002/03
Ulrik Laursen (£1.5m) – 5/10
Dependable cover, never first-choice.
Magnus Hedman (£1m) – 4/10
Failed to solve the goalkeeper problem.
2003/04
Stephen Pearson (£400k) – 6/10
Energetic midfielder, scored in Seville. Useful squad man.
Michael Gray (loan) – 3/10
Barely remembered.
2004/05
Kjartan Finnbogason (undisclosed) – 2/10
A youth punt, no impact.
Teddy Bjarnason (undisclosed) – 2/10
Similar story, left quietly.
Stephane Henchoz (free) – 4/10
Past his peak, fleeting contribution.
Juninho (free) – 3/10
Big name, wrong fit. Struggled in Scotland.
Jacob Lensky (free) – 1/10
Never broke through.
Craig Bellamy (loan) – 7/10
Explosive half-season. Goals, pace, and a glimpse of what might have been.
Henri Camara (loan) – 4/10
Flashes of quality, but inconsistent.
Conclusion
Martin O’Neill’s Celtic recruitment was a study in front-loading success.
His first two windows were transformative, laying the foundations for trebles, titles, and Seville. Later signings were less effective, often short-term or speculative. But the overall picture is clear: O’Neill’s transfer record was the bedrock of one of Celtic’s greatest modern eras.
Final verdict
23 signings, £30m, an average rating of 5.5/10 – but the first dozen were so impactful they changed Celtic’s trajectory forever.
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