Martin O’Neill: Celtic manager, 74, signs permanent deal after Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup success | Football news
Martin O’Neill has been appointed Celtic manager.
As previously reported by Sky Sports NewsThe 74-year-old has signed a one-year deal at Parkhead.
The new contract also coincides with a one-year extension decision and follows talks with the club’s major shareholder, Dermot Desmond, who has also held talks with former player Robbie Keane – which has led to criticism from many fan groups.
O’Neill returned to the club twice last season and guided them to two domestic victories, including a Scottish Premiership title on the final day of the season.
After lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park last month, he heard the Hoops may be “looking for a younger man” as they look for a new manager.
However, O’Neill will remain in this team as they look to defend the title of the Scottish Premiership.
“It is also a great privilege for me to continue as manager of Celtic,” said O’Neill.
“Last season will live long in all our memories and being a part of that success has increased the desire to work more days like those and bring our fans those moments.
“Yes, none of this would have been achieved without the players and staff and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for bringing that level of focus, determination and talent that must be carried at the end of the season to bring the league and the cup twice.
“I would like to thank the board for asking me and giving me this opportunity again.
“We already know that Celtic will never rest on their past success, so now we intend to move forward together next season as we intend to do it again for the team and our fans.
“I thank our fans for their continued support, it means everything to us. I look forward to returning to Celtic Park next season where we will meet again and we will fight to bring our fans the success that support deserves.”
How did you react to Keane’s comments?
Celtic hold talks with Robbie Keane (right) over potential Martin O’Neill replacement
A number of Celtic fans put their names in a statement against the appointment of Robbie Keane as manager, due to his previous role at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Keane was among the favorites to take over following talks with major shareholder Dermot Desmond.
The Republic of Ireland goalscorer enjoyed a lucrative loan spell at Celtic Park in 2010 and has won league titles in Israel and Hungary as a manager.
Robbie Keane was on loan from Celtic in 2010
However, his decision to stay in Israel after the Gaza conflict drew criticism in Ireland and was turned against him by the Celtic side.
Graffiti and banners opposing the prospect of Keane becoming manager have appeared outside Celtic Park in recent days and a statement appeared online from a group calling themselves Celtic Fans for the Liberation of Palestine.
How O’Neill’s return came about
O’Neill is assisted by Shaun Maloney and coaches including Mark Fotheringham and Gavin Strachan.
After Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation last October, there was more surprise as O’Neill was offered the chance to take over on an interim basis – 20 years after his first spell at the club.
During that time, he won every league game to overturn an eight-point deficit to Hearts when Celtic were level on points with a game in hand.
O’Neill also led Celtic to the final of the League Cup after defeating Rangers, further strengthening their Europa League hopes.
O’Neill’s Celtic beat Danny Rohl’s Rangers to reach League Cup final
He then made way for Wilfried Nancy. However, the Frenchman lasted just 33 days into his two-and-a-half-year deal, and O’Neill returned again – this time until the end of the season.
At the time, Celtic had beaten Hearts by six points and saw Rangers level on points, the club also losing in the League Cup final.
Wilfried Nancy was fired after only 33 days on the job
However, O’Neill has helped the Hoops recover both on and off the park. This time, he guided the club through the January transfer window, and worked to end conflicts between the fans and the board. In it, he earned a place at Hampden in the Scottish Cup, and cut the gap on Hearts in the league before stripping them of the title after a last-day decider.
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Celtic lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy following a dramatic clash with Hearts on the final day
Then came the Scottish Cup final, as he defeated his former captain Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline on the national stage.
More than two decades since he last played for Glasgow, O’Neill has added two more trophies to the seven trophies he won for the club from 2000-2005.
Now he will be heading for three more next season.
Is O’Neill staying the right choice?
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Former player Stiliyan Petrov was “surprised” Celtic did not give Martin O’Neill a different role, but backed his former manager to warn of a “big challenge” next season.
Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov on Sky Sports News:
“I’m actually surprised – I thought they were going to give Martin O’Neill a different, more relaxed role. But with his management skills and his record of great honors, he justifies his appointment. I hope and wish him all the best for next season. Martin O’Neill is Martin O’Neill.
“He’ll feel like 102 by the time that year goes by! But with a one-year deal, they just want to stabilize the team. In the last few months, he’s shown why he’s been a great actor. But here’s the question: if they win again next year, what will happen?
“I’ve followed Robbie Keane’s managerial career and he’s done very well. But if you compare him to O’Neill, he has that growth with O’Neill, who agreed to stay with this club.
Robbie Keane won two league titles with Ferencvaros
“There was no doubt about this: he was always going to be the first choice if he agreed and showed the same drive and determination to work for this big club.
“Commitment, motivation, human management, this is all he has done in his career. He is a great motivator, he wants the highest performance from each player. He keeps everything simple. He trusts his employees. If you have that, you have a manager with a pedigree where only one thing can be achieved: the best.
“If O’Neill has agreed to become Celtic’s manager, he knows the challenges, he knows he has to add quality, strong players and big players who can win games.
“I hope Celtic have learned their lesson, because Rangers will be stronger next season, Hearts will try to push again. Celtic needs to have a strong team in Europe and here. Last season they lost. Next season will be a big challenge.”
Rewriting the record books
Last season was full of twists and turns. Many thought Hearts could become the first non-Old Firm club to win the top flight since 1960. In the end, it was Celtic who rewrote the record books.
Since 1930, Rangers have had more league titles to their name, but in recent years that gap has narrowed, before Celtic pulled within 55 points at the end of the 2024/25 season. Now, they lead that race alone by 56.
It’s been a generation of dominance, with the Hoops winning the league 20 times compared to Rangers’ six since 2000.
Bragging rights well and truly belong to Celtic.
Now, O’Neill must ensure that continues next season.
