Former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss directly addresses next Celtic manager question with cryptic response
Interim Celtic manager remains tight-lipped over future as he delivers title race confession
Martin O’Neill has opened up on his future as he looks to salvage Celtic’s season by securing an unlikely domestic double.
The 74-year-old stepped in to fill the Parkhead hotseat on two separate occasions this season after six years away from the managerial scene, both times when the Hoops were lacking clear direction and searching for answers.
O’Neill has managed to get a tune out of a sub-standard squad and hauled the defending champions back into contention to successfully defend the title, raising questions over what happens next for the Northern Irishman.
Pressed by talkSPORT host Jim White if he's caught the management bug again and whether he could stay at the club beyond the summer, O’Neill remained tight-lipped.
“I've said it umpteen times, I've never enjoyed management!” he stated. “I've been out a long time. But of course, there is an enjoyment when you win. It's still exciting, seriously exciting, and it is good. I feel a sense of renaissance, coming back and working with young people, it's really, really terrific.
“We’ll have to see how we stand at the end of the season, and that’s nearly upon us now.”
Hearts warned title is ‘all in your hands’ by O’Neill
O’Neill kept a close eye on proceedings in Gorgie on Monday evening and has suggested that Celtic’s fate is almost out of their hands after Hearts’ comeback victory over Rangers at Tynecastle moved them three points clear of the Hoops at the league summit.
The Northern Irishman reckons the Jambos will be worthy winners of the title if they can see it out, but is refusing to throw in the towel as Celtic look to set up a thrilling climax on the final day of the season with victories over city rivals Rangers next weekend and then against Motherwell on April 13.
“From our own position, we have to try and win the three games,” he added. “But even then, strangely, that might not mathematically be enough, with Hearts having a better goal difference than us. I still think there’s a couple of twists still left.
“I suppose probably deep down I was looking for a draw (between Hearts and Rangers). A draw is very, very difficult to cheer on, but that would then have put it in our own hands. As it turns out, mathematically speaking, it’s not actually in our own hands.
“It’s actually great credit to Hearts this season for investing and going strongly at it, getting their noses in front and being able to stay there. From our on viewpoint, it’s been a tough old season. I don’t know how many times I’ve come in myself. It feels like about six or seven in the one year!
“But credit to the team, we’re still fighting. We still have a chance. There’s no question about it. We still have to try and win our games. But it’s been a long time since a split game between Celtic and Rangers doesn’t constitute the winning of the title.”