Édier Ocampo of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Marcelo Saracchi of the Houston Dynamo FC battle for a loose ball during the second half at BC Place on August 19, 2026 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)
The Uruguayan became a trusted figure under O'Neill as Celtic recovered to secure an unlikely league and Scottish Cup double last season.
O'Neill was keen to keep Saracchi beyond the summer, but Celtic were unable to agree a deal for the defender, who eventually joined MLS side Houston Dynamo.
Saracchi has since made no secret of his desire to return to Celtic one day and has now reflected warmly on his relationship with O'Neill despite the language barrier between the pair.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Saracchi said: "It was a great feeling of course, and it meant a lot coming from him. He was incredible. I saw him like a grandpa. We had a special relationship even though there was a language barrier.
"He didn't speak Spanish, and I didn't speak much English. Just by gestures and expressions. He gave a smile, I gave a smile, and we understood each other. He's a great person; he knows how to handle the locker room. Apart from also knowing tactics and coaching, he knows how to handle the group for sure."
Saracchi also played a crucial role in Celtic's dramatic title-clinching victory over Hearts on the final day of the season.
Reflecting on the decider, he continued: "It's always a different feeling, different emotion and different responsibility when the title is on the line. Obviously, when you come into that game, you've got to think of the game differently. It's not just like any other game
"We had chances earlier in the season to secure the title, but it didn't happen. But it happened at the end of the season. And coming onto the field, scoring those goals and winning that game was one of the best moments.
"It was a feeling I've never felt before, with the fans behind me and cheering me on. It was a pretty good feeling, especially when you come into the game late in the match. It feels like you're an important sub coming in to make a difference. I liked the feeling and just to help the team achieve its objective, which was to win the league."
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