Celtic hero backs 'right man' Martin O'Neill to win Premiership again as ideal trait in successor named
Hoops currently sit four points clear at the top of the table
Celtic icon Scott Sinclair backs ‘right man’ Martin O’Neill to guide his side to another Scottish Premiership title this season despite their whirlwind start.
The 74-year old boss guided Celtic to the domestic double last season and in turn, was rewarded with another year at the club. On the domestic front, the Hoops have picked up where they left, winning nine out of 10 league matches thus far.
Despite their Premiership dominance continuing, things haven’t been quite as plain sailing for O’Neill this time around. Back-to-back domestic defeats to Rangers in the league and League Cup before the international break led to questions over his tactics, while a poor start in the Europe hasn’t helped either. However, former winger Sinclair, who won eight trophies in four years during his time in Glasgow - reckons O’Neill is still the ‘right man’ for the job.
Why is Sinclair backing O’Neill for successive title race triumphs?
The former Chelsea and Swansea City man said: “The criticism of Martin O’Neill? When you play against Rangers, it means so much. Playing in it, you understand how big of a game it is for the fans and it's what they live for when both teams meet on the weekend. The main priority is to win the Premiership every season. When you're at Celtic, you're expected to play and win every single game, and it's the same with Rangers now.
“Rangers have improved but for me, Celtic will always be the team everyone is chasing and Martin O’Neill is the right man to go and win another title. He has so much experience, and you can see that in how he manages Celtic to silverware. Even when fans and people are talking and aren't happy with certain results, he is still the right man to be at Celtic. The main thing for him is to go out and win the league and he will do that.”
Hoops hero wants ‘young’ successor
Sinclair played under manager Brendan Rodgers during his playing days at the club. With O’Neill set to leave in the summer, the Englishman was asked if he thinks his old boss, or fellow ex Celtic gaffer Ange Postecoglou, would be a viable option for a replacement. To which, he told Andy’s Bet Club: “Could Brendan Rodgers or Ange Postecoglou return to Celtic?
“When Martin is ready to step down, whoever goes in next, it would be exciting to have a young manager but that's up to the board to decide. When you bring someone in, they have to know the club and understand the expectations of such a massive football club but looking at history, they usually make the right call. So I'm sure they'll make the right decision whenever Martin decides to step down, but that will be totally his call when that happens.”