Celtic players 'needed' O'Neill approach - McNamara

Former Celtic captain Jackie McNamara believes the current squad required Martin O'Neill's approach to halt their early season slide.

The Northern Irishman, who returned to the club on an interim basis in October after his previous five-year spell as manager ended in 2005, is expected to lead Celtic for the last time at home to Dundee on Wednesday.

Under O'Neill, Celtic have won all of their domestic games and one out of two in Europe. Victories over Dundee and Hearts on Sunday would take the reigning champions top of the Scottish Premiership.

"You see the fans at the game, how they take to him," said McNamara, who played for Celtic from 1995 to 2005.

"Before the game, he's doing the media, you want to listen to him. And as a player in his dressing room, it was the same. You hung on his words, you would capture him when you come into the changing room, how he put you across, made you feel fantastic.

"And that's what these players have been needing."

Brendan Rodgers' final two league games in charge were away defeats by Dundee and Hearts and the return fixture with the latter at Celtic Park could be Wilfried Nancy's first in charge, should be be named as Rodgers' permanent successor this week.

"If Nancy comes in at the start and doesn't hit the ground running, it's only going to amplify the feeling towards the board and making that change rather than sticking with that is a big decision for the club," added McNamara, touching on recent tensions between directors and supporters.

Hear more from McNamara on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.