Former Everton boss as next Celtic manager met head on as rumour lands clear response from ally at Parkhead

Celtic have a big decision to make on who to bring in as their next permanent manager - and an ex Everton boss could come into their thinking.

Martin O’Neill remains in caretaker charge until someone new is appointed. The Hoops are considering their options ahead of the 2026/27 season. In the meantime, they are battling it out with Hearts and Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

They are sat in 3rd place in the table following their 2-1 win at home to Livingston last time out. New boy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored their winner on Wednesday night.

Shaun Maloney addresses Celtic links to Roberto Martinez

Roberto Martinez is one name that has been linked with the Celtic job. Shaun Maloney, who is a coach with the Hoops, knows the Spaniard from playing under him at Wigan Athletic, and coaching with the Belgian national team. He has his say on the 52-year-old’s links with the Glasgow giants, as per Sky Sports: “I still speak to Roberto, but it’s mainly on how he’s preparing for his massive World Cup with Portugal. So nothing on that from my side.

“Actually, it’s so far away from what myself, Martin and the rest of the guys are thinking. I’m pretty sure the board are already starting to make plans for that. But for the rest of us, it’s like every three days there’s a game. We’ve just come out of a window. It’s definitely above my pay grade. No, I just concentrate to make the team better, help recruitment as much as I can and leave those big decisions to the key guys.”

Regarding the win over Livingston, O’Neill said: “It was late again for us, but in all honesty, we should have been three or four up in the first 15 minutes of the game. We got one but it’s never enough and we allowed them back into the game with a penalty kick.

“Then we’re driving and driving and driving, and it looked as if it might not happen, but then Alex comes up with a wonder goal – a wonder goal from a special player – and even though it was later, it was great for us to win. Hopefully he’s just beginning and that was terrific. It was a class goal from a player who’s been class throughout his career.”

Roberto Martinez latest amid Celtic links

Martinez, 52, is currently the boss of Portugal but his future beyond the World Cup later this year is uncertain. He has held his position since 2023. The Spaniard has won 69.4% of matches in charge, having previously held a similar role at Belgium.

As a player, he started out at Real Zaragoza before first moving to England with Wigan Athletic in 1995. He later had spells at Motherwell, Walsall, Swansea City and Chester City before hanging up his boots in 2007 at the age of 33. The Balaguer-born man has since delved into the managerial world.

Martinez was handed his first number one job at Swansea City before moving to Wigan in 2009. He guided the Latics to the FA Cup against the odds in 2013. Everton subsequently came calling and he spent three years with the Toffees at Goodison Park.

Martinez hasn’t managed a club side since 2016. Nevertheless, Celtic could hand him an opportunity after 10 years on the international stage if reports are true. It remains to be seen at this stage whether the speculation linking him with a move to Scotland are correct though.