O’Neill set to continue as Celtic boss – but other issues still to be resolved

June 6, 2026 No Comments

O’Neill set to continue as Celtic boss – but other issues still to be resolvedImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Martin O’Neill guided Celtic to a league and cup double last seasonByChris McLaughlinBBC Scotland sports news correspondentPublished8 hours agoMartin O’Neill is set to continue as Celtic manager after two interim spells last season culminated in a Premiership and Scottish Cup double.The 74-year-old has now agreed to stay at Parkhead on a one-year contract – with the option for a further year – after holding talks with the club’s major shareholder, Dermot Desmond, earlier this week.Celtic have yet to officially confirm the appointment.Twenty years on from ending a five-year stint as Celtic manager, O’Neill returned in late October on a temporary basis after Brendan Rodgers’ departure, overseeing eight games.He made way for Wilfried Nancy, but the Frenchman left after six defeats and two wins from eight matches – leading to O’Neill returning in early January until the end of the season.Is O’Neill the long-term answer for Celtic?

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The league title race went to the final day of the campaign, with Celtic beating long-time leaders Hearts 3-1 to retain the crown.

Then, at Hampden two weeks ago, O’Neill won his ninth trophy as Celtic manager with a 3-1 win over Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final.

Across his two spells last term, O’Neill oversaw 35 games in all competitions, winning 27 and drawing four.

His average of 2.56 points per game in the league matched his corresponding figure from 2000-05.

Robbie Keane, a one-time Celtic player, had been linked with the Celtic manager’s job before and after his recent exit from Ferencvaros.

However, several Celtic supporters clubs put their name to a statement earlier this week opposing his potential appointment because of the Irishman’s previous role as Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach.

Danish coach Jens Berthel Askou was also mentioned in connection with the position before leaving Motherwell for Toulouse.

O’Neill reacts after winning fourth title as Celtic boss

Analysis: O’Neill just one part of bigger jigsaw

Tom English

BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer

At the end of the season, O’Neill cast doubt on his ability to go back to the coalface one more time, but his words were never convincing. For all his talk of how draining the job is – and that much is beyond dispute – he clearly basks in it.

Arguably, the most difficult part of the role was not the on-field stuff at all – he knows more than anybody how to organise and motivate Celtic players and how to engage with Celtic supporters.

Dealing with the disconnect between sections of the fans and a deeply unpopular board was, obviously, a strain on him until the run-in, when the whole place finally managed to start pointing in the same direction.

The issues that caused the rancour in the first place have not gone away. This is an uneasy truce and it could be broken at any time.

O’Neill will know that and appointing him can only be one part of a bigger jigsaw.

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