Simon Jordan shoots down claim Martin O'Neill should move upstairs as Celtic told 'tokenism' isn't the way
Former Crystal Palace Chairman stuck up for his former TalkSPORT ally
Martin O’Neill ally Simon Jordan has hit back at claims the Celtic boss should have been moved ‘upstairs’ at the end of last season.
Former Celtic winger Mark McGhee argued on TalkSPORT, that the 74-year old would be better suited to a Director of Football role than the manager. After three defeats in three, O’Neill is taking the opportunity during the international break to ‘reflect’ on his position.
TalkSPORT regular Jordan remains a big fan of O’Neill - who would also frequently offer analysis on the breakfast show before returning to the Hoops dugout. He back his old friend to change Celtic’s fortunes - and believes sending him upstairs would’ve just been a token gesture.
Jordan hits back at O’Neill ‘upstairs’ claim
The former Crystal Palace Chairman said: “I don’t think he is, I don’t think Martin is in that space (of a behind the scenes role). So, I think what you are talking about is tokenism. Martin doesn’t want tokenism. What Martin could be involved in is a recruitment process that brings in a successor.”
Question have been asked on the involvement of the 74-year old, who has made no secret that the majority of work in training sessions is down to his coaching staff. But even though Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus are more hands on day in, day out, it’s still the manager who gets it in the neck when things go wrong.
What was McGhee’s original suggestion that O’Neill should move upstairs?
Speaking on TalkSPORT, the former Aberdeen and Motherwell boss suggested: “I think at the end of last season, Martin should have went upstairs and should have become the director of football, and he could have mentored in a new, young manager with energy to take the club forward.”
The club currently don’t have a Director of Football or any similar position. Executive and football operations are currently managed by club CEO Michael Nicholson - who released a statement last week publicly backing O’Neill to turn around his side’s fortunes.
It partially read: “We owe a debt of gratitude to Martin O’Neill and his management team, who stepped up for Celtic, twice, and who guided the team to success. We were therefore delighted that Martin agreed to lead the Club again this season and we have worked with Martin and his team over the summer transfer window to invest in the squad. We will now come together and support Martin and the players, as we focus our efforts on achieving success domestically and in the Europa League.”
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