Pundit questions O'Neill's future amid lingering doubts as Celtic warned of 'destabilising effect' post break
Hoops boss said he’ll take the next three weeks to ‘reflect’ on his position
Pundit Michael Stewart issued a warning to Celtic if they don’t come back firing after the international break as he questions the future of boss Martin O’Neill.
The 74-year old claimed after three defeats on the spin that he’s going to take time to ‘reflect’ on his position over the extended break. Whether he’ll still be in the Celtic dugout in three weeks time for their trip to Motherwell remains to be seen, as O’Neill himself and the Hoops board have some massive calls to make.
The veteran boss remains a Parkhead legend regardless and only enhanced his reputation last season when he helped the side secure the domestic double and steadied the ship in times of uncertainty. However, this season, the Champions League qualification failure mixed with back-to-back Old Firm losses has rekindled similar chaos to what he was tasked with fixing when he returned to the club almost 12 months ago.
Stewart on O’Neill’s future
Speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, Stewart said: “The (’reflect’) comments from Martin O'Neill are very important. Martin's been very candid in what he's talking about - his age, has he got the energy, has he got the drive - those things that really matter. The board will be nervous because Martin is there to steady the ship - and now there are doubts as to whether he's able to do that.
“If Celtic are to make a change, then what a gamble! So coming out of this international break, they are going to have to find a bit of form right off the bat, because if there's any lingering suggestion that things are not immediately going back in a positive fashion, that could have a destabilising effect that could seriously impact the season moving on.”
What were O’Neill’s original comments on reflection?
After the 1-0 defeat to Rangers on Sunday, the Hoops boss said: “I think there's every reason to ask, you know, can you turn this round? Can you change the whole thing? We are, as I said, two points clear, so I have to kind of look at the bigger picture at this minute.
“But I knew that we were in a big, big fight anyway, with both ourselves, Rangers, and Hearts again, who are far from out of anything. It's a long season ahead. It's not the first time I've been questioned about my managerial time. So, yeah, I'll have a look at it. I will reflect and see.”
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