BOLOGNA, ITALY - JANUARY 21: Celtic Manager Martin O'Neill (R) and Sebastian Tounekti during a Celtic MD-1 press conference at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium, on January 21, 2026, in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill doesn’t think that he should be questioned on his team selections and tactics after defeats.
He also thinks that it is fair game to crack jokes about not being able to read.
O’Neill added that gag today on the back of claiming that he doesn’t use read social media.
It didn’t stop him from opening social media accounts for recent book launches.
Years back managers claimed that they didn’t read papers, while getting bundles delivered to their office first thing every morning.
Absolutely for certain Media and Communication managers would have them well briefed on a daily basis.
What the big name pundits are saying about their team. Any criticism would be highlighted giving the manager the chance to throw something back when the results are favourable.
Last November as Interim Manager there was a novelty factor to O’Neill’s media conferences. At every opportunity he would hark back 25 years, for a short time it had value. That time has long passed.
Martin O’Neill has apologised for being “tetchy” when asked about Celtic team selections and formations.
“I can get a bit tetchy now and again. Sometimes I have to apologise for that.
“But overall, what I did say was that we don’t seem to be questioned when we win the football… pic.twitter.com/ZQMMIeXgs9
— Celtic FC News Room (@cfcnewsroom) September 18, 2026
I can get a bit tetchy now and again. Sometimes I have to apologise for that. But overall, what I did say was that we don’t seem to be questioned when we win the football matches. But yeah, everybody has a right to ask.
I think I said to Connie McLaughlin last night, I don’t think that my job an hour beforehand is to just give out a reason for every single selection thing I make. I don’t think that’s ever been the case.
But at the end of it all, yeah, I’m responsible for team selection. I’m responsible for the tactics. And of course I should be questioned.
Asked for his take on the general reaction to the last two defeats, he added:
I don’t know really what the reaction is. Honestly, I don’t, because I’m not on social media and I don’t read.
More recently the gags have been for a different purpose. As a shield against criticism.
O’NEILL SWITCHES MEDIA SIDES
Until last October O’Neill was happy to be part of the media game. Mainly commenting on his old clubs including Celtic.
On the other side of the fence O’Neill is increasingly finding media duties difficult.
Cracking jokes that are lapped up by a far younger generation of reporters doesn’t go down well outside of the room.
Before the match against Ferencvaros O’Neill got very defensive when questioned about changes to his team.
Suggesting that he will only tell subscribers to Celtic TV completely missed the point.
Celtic get well paid by UEFA for playing in the Europa League, almost all of that money comes from broadcasters and advertisers.
O’Neill is fully entitled not to answer any questions put to him. There are ways to do that.
It isn’t by throwing out answers about Celtic TV or claiming that he doesn’t read.
In another guise O’Neill likes to push forward the idea that he is an intellectual based on studying law for a year.
What should Celtic Fans Collective do with Not Another Penny?
CONTINUE- This is the main way to protest
SUSPEND- Let us see what Celtic Connect produces
ABANDON- No longer required or useful
I am exactly like St.Martin in that I won’t look at any of The Scummy’s !
We all know it’s Maloney’s tactics. Time this pretence was ended before a real disastrous season unfolds.
Firstly Celtic earned the right to the financial gains for qualifying for the EL ! The CL was obviously the aim but the EL was deserved on merit ? Secondly I agree with Martin O’Neill when he said he doesn’t have to explain his selections and other decisions to the SMSM . Let them use clickbait like they do every day of their slimy existence .
Yes Celtic fans need to be informed but again that can be done through in house social media an hour or more pre game giving cub scoop reporters like Ms Connie plenty of time to do her job properly …as in read the words of the messaging ! You know like I do and Martin O’Neill definitely knows the strategies of said scoops when giving answers ? Twist his words into pretzels and shape their own narratives ..at all costs !
Crawling like snakes sniffing the air with forked tongues looking for an unsuspecting meal is what the SMSM do . Do you think if it was McInnes standing in Martin’s position last Thursday Ms Hon….sorry Ms Connie would have dared be so bold and insistent with her selected questions to theRangers coacher guy ? More of a ‘ you’ve made theRangers world class again Derek’ type line of gushing questioning ! Martin O’Neill was correct in my view .
Give the SMSM scoops 3 word answers tops …every time ! They have definitely never earned the right for anything else …..