Martin O'Neill will be 'prepared' for every eventuality as Celtic manager search goes into International break
The former Aston Villa, Sunderland and Leicester City boss has been in interim charge of Celtic for over a fortnight.
As the International break commences, Martin O’Neill is finally getting a rest after a ‘whirlwind’ two weeks as Celtic boss.
The 73-year old took the job on an interim basis after being asked by Dermot Desmond, however as time goes on, he says he is ‘secretly enjoying’ being back in the Parkhead dugout. The question remains now, will he stay or will he go?
Columbus Crew boss, Wilfried Nancy is now the front runner for the Hoops vacancy according to the bookies, while Bodo Glimt’s Kjetil Knutsen is close on his tail, after hinting that he will leave the Norwegian champions once his contact is up next month.
With the future of O’Neill uncertain at Celtic, former Manchester United chief scout, Mick Brown, who is very well-connected in British football, believes that no matter what decision Desmond makes, the veteran coach will just take it in his stride.
O’Neill ‘happy to stay’ at Parkhead
According to Football Insider, Brown said: “Martin O’Neill has been around the block, he knows how these things go. He’s been out of the game for a while, and this opportunity came out of the blue, but by all accounts he’s enjoyed his time at Celtic so far.
“I get the feeling that he would be happy to stay and ride with it for as long as they need him. Whether that’s long-term or just until somebody else becomes available, I think he’ll be ready to do whatever they ask of him, which also does the club a favour.”
Celtic fans were cheering the name of the man who last steered them to a European final in their last match against Kilmarnock, indicating that he’s been a popular short-term appointment. However, whether O’Neill has what it takes to go back into management on a permanent basis is another matter, having been out of the game for six years. Even former Celt, Chris Sutton, who thrived under O’Neill as a player, doesn’t believe he is the man for the job long-term.
Veteran boss ‘prepared’ for any eventuality
Brown went onto say that whatever the Celtic board decide to do, whether it be take on O’Neill or opt for a new face elsewhere, the Northern Irishman will be content either way. He said: “I’m sure a decision will be made soon, and whatever that decision is, O’Neill will be prepared.
“If they need him to stay on, he’ll stay on, and if they decide they’ve found somebody better, then I’m sure he’ll be pleased to step aside. After the job he’s done so far, it wouldn’t surprise me if they extended his stay.”
In his second spell, Martin O’Neill has won three out of four so far for Celtic, with his most poignant victory coming against Rangers in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden. The 73-year old said himself that if he were to leave tomorrow, that would be a memory that will stay with him.