Martin O’Neill to accept extended Celtic offer? Expert shares verdict after source’s update
Martin O’Neill has enjoyed a successful interim spell as Celtic manager after he was brought following Brendan Rodgers’ surprise resignation.
Rodgers walked away from Celtic in controversial circumstances following poor on-field results and disputes with the board over long-term transfer policies.
However, O’Neil oversaw a 4-0 win against Falkirk before Celtic beat Rangers 3-1 after extra time in the semi final of the Scottish League Cup at Hampden Park.
Football Insider exclusively revealed revealed on 31 October that O’Neill could take the permanent Celtic job if his spell as interim boss is a success.
The 73-year-old’s last full-time managerial role was with Nottingham Forest in 2019, but sources say he is excited by his return after two wins from two games so far.
Martin O’Neill uncertain about accepting Celtic job offer
Football Insider revealed on 3 November that O’Neill is increasingly likely to be offered the Celtic job until the end of the season given the success of his interim spell so far.
However, the 73-year-old is believed to have doubts about whether taking the long-term would be right, and is more likely to serve an extended interim period.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that O’Neill could take over until the end of the season before handing over the reins.
“Honestly, I think it would be unlikely,” he told Football Insider.
“Based on what he’s said about the job and the fact he’s gone in there as an interim, I can’t see him taking on the permanent job, even if he does well during this spell.
“It might be that he could extend his stay on a short-term basis, maybe until the end of the season.
“From the directors’ point of view, that might be a decision which suits them because they don’t end up with somebody making demands of them like Rodgers did.
“Obviously, I don’t know how he’s looking at it, but I think he’ll have doubts over a full-time role.
“There are options there for him, if he wants to stay on a short-term basis while they line up somebody to replace him, I think it would make a lot of sense.
“He wasn’t looking to get back into football and into managing, he was quite happy doing punditry, and he’s stepped in to help the club out really.
“So taking the permanent job, coming in there on a long-term contract, I have my doubts.
“Let’s be fair about it, Celtic aren’t just any club, there are pressures and demands which you don’t get elsewhere, and at 73 I imagine he’ll want to do this job and then call it a day.”
Meanwhile, there is a hope that O’Neill’s experience and rapport with the supporters can help to ease growing frustrations and get the team back focused and firing.
Celtic assessing alternative Brendan Rodgers replacements
O’Neill is not the only boss on Celtic’s radar as they aim to replace Rodgers, with a number of potential managers under consideration for the role.
Football Insider revealed on 31 October that Kieran McKenna would be open to joining Celtic as they are set to prove a tempting proposition for the Ipswich Town boss.
However, Celtic would have to trigger McKenna’s release clause to get him out of Ipswich, which is believed to be set at a steep fee of £5million.
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou had been heavily linked with a return to his old role at Parkhead, but is now considered unlikely to be among the front-runners.
Football Insider revealed on 31 October that Postecoglou is planning to take a break after leaving Nottingham Forest and will not rush into a job.
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