Martin O'Neill is feeling those familiar butterflies again, and at 74 years old, he wouldn't have it any other way. The Northern Irishman is chasing a league and cup double in his third spell at Celtic, and the nerves? They're just as strong as ever.
O'Neill's first run at Parkhead was legendary. From 2000 to 2005, he bagged seven trophies—including three Premiership titles—and even led the club to the 2003 UEFA Cup final. Now, back for his second interim stint this season, he's got Celtic within striking distance of glory once more.
His side sits just one point behind league leaders Hearts with only two games remaining, thanks to a massive derby win over Rangers last weekend. And later this month, they'll face Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final. The pressure is on, and O'Neill wouldn't have it any other way.
"Pretty much the same, to tell you the truth," O'Neill said when asked if the feelings compare to his first spell. "I can't remember, but the anxiety wouldn't be that much different. And it's good that I feel this way, because I've always felt that. I felt this as a player, although the thing I always felt as a player is, you could do something about it. I've always felt the same as a manager and then you're depending on players for your living after that. And so the same sort of nervousness, the same sort of excitement, all those type of things still exist with me even at my age."
It's been a rollercoaster season. Celtic's title hopes looked shaky after a 2-0 defeat at Dundee United in March left them five points adrift. But the reigning champions have bounced back in style, winning six straight games across all competitions. Now, they're breathing down the necks of Derek McInnes' Hearts side, who face Falkirk on Wednesday before a massive trip to Celtic Park on Saturday.
"We've got some players who are in really good form, which is the most important thing," O'Neill said. "I think there's a good connection with the team and the fans. I think that's been an important issue. They've known for some weeks, particularly after the game at Dundee United, that there was no room for mistakes. And that's hard."
With two games left and a cup final on the horizon, O'Neill's Celtic are proving that experience—and a little bit of nervous energy—can go a long way.