Martin O’Neill to hold talks with Celtic over permanent role
O’Neill is set for talks with Dermot Desmond in the next few days as Celtic weigh up their next manager, with Robbie Keane also linked.
Martin O’Neill is set for talks with Celtic owner Dermot Desmond in the next few days as the club weighs up who should take charge on a permanent basis.
The Hoops finished their campaign with silverware at Hampden after beating Dunfermline 3-1 to claim their second trophy of the season, adding to last weekend’s Scottish Premiership title success. It capped off a chaotic second spell with the club for O’Neill, who steadied the side and delivered a unlikely double since he replaced Wilfried Nancy at the start of the year.
Speaking after the Cup final win, O’Neill admitted he would need time to consider whether he is prepared to continue in the job, while also hinting Celtic may want to look at a younger option for the long term.
“I did say here, if you’re asking if I would start back in a week’s time, I genuinely couldn’t do that. I would have to have a think,” O’Neill said.
“I think in the next week I will meet up with the owner to see what he’s saying. He hasn’t said anything to me. I don’t know whether that’s good or bad news.
“I will genuinely have a wee look at it to see. I would be thinking that the football club, to go forward, would probably be looking at someone younger.
“There wouldn’t be anybody in this room my age here. So you’ve got to consider that. Listen, I know I can pass it off as a joke, but I genuinely don’t know.
“I would think that I must be in consideration for the job, even though it might only be for a very short term.”
Whatever happens, the 74-year-old made clear he has lost none of his hunger for football.
“I don’t think I’ll ever lose my hunger. I don’t think I’ll ever lose the passion for the game,” he said.
“Honestly, I really don’t. I think when they’re putting a lid on top of me, I think I will jump up and say what’s the score?”
Dunfermline manager Neil Lennon also backed his old boss, insisting O’Neill has earned that right to make his own decisions after another successful spell in charge.
“I think it’s his decision,” Lennon said. “I think it should be his decision, whether he wants to stay on or not. The club should let him decide what he wants to do.
“He has put himself in the best position. I don’t see many other candidates out there who could do what he’s done this season. And it doesn’t surprise me.”
Robbie Keane has also been linked with the role as Celtic continue their search for clarity over the dugout ahead of next season, with a huge summer rebuild set to occur.