Might Martin O’Neill walk away? Celtic fans react to explosive Spiers story

At lunchtime on Monday Graham Spiers published an article warning that Martin O’Neill could walk out on managing Celtic.

It is now a fortnight since Celtic announced the appointment of the Irishman in a one year contract.

Since then there has been nothing further from the club other than the usual vague promises from Brian Wilson, the Interim Chairman since January. As a former Labour MP Wilson has a troubled relationship with the truth and reality.

Following the announcement O’Neill carried out a weekend of Q and A sessions in Kirkcaldy, Dumfries and Uddingston.

Crucially in the appointment announcement there was no comment on his backroom staff, the assistants and first team coaches.

It is very clear that Celtic have been unable to agree contracts with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham.

Clearly O’Neill’s deal was negotiated and agreed with Dermot Desmond.

The Maloney and Fotheringham contracts are down to Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay.

Which explains the problem.

It has long been established that Nicholson and McKay are incompetent and incapable of doing their well paid jobs.

After the protests of last season it seems that spite has been added to their limited skill-sets.

O’NEILL FACES CRITICAL TIME- CONFORM OR CALL THEM OUT?

Rather than accept the reprieve handed to them by O’Neill delivering the double it seems that the undynamic duo intend doubling down. Showing those anti-establishment fans who is the real power at Celtic Park.

Maloney and Fotheringham twice stepped in with virtually no notice to rescue Celtic’s season.

O’Neill was quick to acknowledge their contribution.

Clearly Nicholson and McKay want to take advantage and offer the coaching team reduced terms. Playing on their loyalty to the club and O’Neill.

The gist of the Spiers article is that the treatment of the assistants is giving O’Neill second thoughts about taking on the manager’s job.

There is a fairness issue but without Maloney and Fotheringham O’Neill is less likely to be successful.

O’Neill should be well aware of the limitations of the Celtic executives.

Their desore to downgrade forced Brendan Rodgers into resigning.

The January transfer window was a shambles. Four largely ineffective loans plus Julian Araujo.

Over the next 48 hours things look like coming to a head.

The ball is in O’Neill’s court. He knows exactly how Nicholson functions.

He can go in solo to pre-season training with recruitment in the hands of two men unable to keep together last season’s management team.

Or he can leave as a legend with the spotlight fully on the executive team and the spineless board who nod through their masters wishes from afar?