GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Celtic manager Martin O'Neill (L) during a Premier Sports Cup Quarter-Final match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, on September 13, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
On 11 June the Irishman accepted a 12 month contract to manage Celtic with the option of another 12 months.
There had been a very uneasy period between the Scottish Cup Final on May 23 and the announcement of the new deal.
Typically Celtic’s favoured messengers had the news six days earlier. Killing off speculation that Robbie Keane was about to become Celtic manager.
It took Celtic until 26 June to announce deals for Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham.
The first pre-season match against Shelbourne passed without any signings being made.
On July 10 Celtic announced the signing of Camilo Duran, the previous day he had been pictured in his Celtic kit with a fan at the club’s Algarve training camp.
RUMOURS AND SPECULATION ABOUT O’NEILL
With recruitment being as reluctant and slow as ever speculation quickly gathered that O’Neill was unhappy, giving the board ultimatums. Similar to his alleged unhappiness with the delay in getting Maloney and Fotheringham signed up.Â
There has been nothing on the record to confirm those claims.
With the season underway and discontent rising O’Neill was hospitalised, Maloney stepped up to take the team for the 5-1 win away to Kilmarnock.
— CelticQuote (@CelticQuote) September 19, 2026
The Sun reports O’Neill saying:
If you lose matches, you will get criticised – and we’ve lost the two big games in the week so I accept that.
But I definitely won’t be here forever either. In many ways, I shouldn’t really be here. Celtic will be looking, soon enough, for someone to replace me.
It is wise not to read too deeply into what O’Neill says. He is capable of contradicting himself without pausing for breath.
His gags are getting worse.
The pre-match interview on Thursday with Connie McLaughlin didn’t make for good viewing for supporters. Getting drawn into a bread and butter question that he would side-step in his prime.
On Friday we had the gag about not reading, asked about criticism he joked about it coming from his brother. Even the nodding dogs in the media room failed to laugh.
The lines above are a little different. Given in answer to embargoed questions from Celtic’s newspaper partners.
Saying ‘I shouldn’t really be here’ is telling.
Normally in football the international break gives clubs the chance to make managerial chances.
From 3pm on Sunday Celtic have 20 days to assess the position of a 74-year-old manager that clearly has a number of issues with modern day management.
A proactive club would make good use of those 20 days.
A progressive club wouldn’t be paying £17,000 a week to a CEO that appointed Mark Lawwell, Paul Tisdale and Wilfried Nancy.
You’re certainly wasting your time.
Try fiction stories..
Editor: If I need fiction I will pop over and join your mates at Thick News #celticfamily
And for me the next Celtic coaching team would be the dream combination of Henrik …Lubo and Paul Lambert in the dugout together next season ? That would be a major game changer by any Celtic Board and send shivers down the spine of the bandage and sticking plaster salesman’s spine over at Ibroxland . Va Va Va Voom . Poor old Inaction at the daily Record would be whistling into his empty bottle of Blue Nun Vino Calypso at the stress of the new coaching team ? Hhiicccuuppp… pppaarrrrppp… !
I’d rather have an experienced, time served football man.
Thick news is getting smaller by the week , half the clowns are just on it to post about Palestine, Spikeysbawbag I am looking at you
Living in the past should be 20th Century Thick News theme tune.
The blog is populated by ancient Pharisees who spend their time feeling superior to other Celtic supporters who disagree with them.
Moribund sums it up.
The End if tomorrow’s game would be the Time to call out the Board and it failure,in plain honest language. Then resign, taking Maloney and his coaching staff with him.
??
Even if he (and bu dint we) get thrashed by Sevco he will still be two points ahead and Celtic top of the league…
He leaves with…
1) Celtic as CHAMPIONS
2) Celtic as SCOTTISH CUP WINNERS
3) Celtic TOP OF THE LEAGUE LOOKING DOWN ON THE SEVCO…
His head to head Celtic 3 v Sevco 2…
Still goin out at the top and he’ll probably live another ten years longer as well !
If yer goin martin tomorrow’s the day to do it !