DUNDEE, SCOTLAND - APRIL 05: Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill pre-match during a William Hill Premiership match between Dundee and Celtic at Dens Park, on April 05, in Dundee, Scotland. (Photo by Paul Devlin/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Michael Nicholson has killed off speculation that the Celtic board are preparing to sack Martin O’Neill.
Chucking away a 4-0 lead to crash out of the Champions League coupled with three telling defeats in eight days has put the Irishman in the spotlight.
Last season O’Neill twice took on the job of interim manager before accepting a permanent deal in the summer.
Sunday’s defeat in the Glasgow Derby was Celtic’s first in the SPFL but the manner of it said more than the scoreline. Celtic sit two points clear at the top of the Premiership table.
O’Neill’s team selection raised concerns.
The formation changed constantly during the match, from starting with no wingers Celtic ended up with three on the pitch.
O’Neill admitted to going into self-examination in his post match media conference.
On page 4 of the Annual Report Nicholson states:
The losses in the last week have been painful for us all. 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.
OVER TO O’NEILL
Clearly the option of O’Neill resigning remains open but in the current climate very few managers walk out on a contract.
O’Neill had been out of club management for six years before taking on the Celtic job last October.
At the age of 74 it is safe to assume that the Celtic job will be his last in top flight management.
Celtic are next in action on October 11 when they are away to Motherwell. That match kicks off a hectic spell which is followed by matches away to Benfica and at home to Hearts.
The club has still to announce the date of the 2026 AGM which must take place before the end of the year.
Last season it was called to a halt by Chairman Peter Lawwell after less than an hour.
During the period of the Report Celtic went through three changes in management with Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy also spending time in the dug-out.
Don’t think anybody expects the Board to punt MON – that would involve making a decision.
There may be an expectation [mine too] that MON would do the decent thing, and walk away.
We all witnessed Neil Lennon hanging on as long as possible, when he could / should have walked [or got punted] much earlier.
MON is better than that:
he was fortunate to get 6+ months from a highly unexpected – and highly paid – return as Celtic manager.
Desmond will have told him he’s not resigning.
He’ll be here till the bitter end, and it will be bitter.
” Success in the Europa League ”
We’ll be lucky to win a game in Europe