O'Neill questions his Celtic future after Sunday's Old Firm loss at Celtic Park
Martin O'Neill raised the possibility of ending his tenure after Sunday's league derby defeat by Rangers at Celtic Park, speaking at the post-match news conference following Celtic's second loss in a week to their arch-rivals. The 74-year-old said he would reflect on whether he can continue and suggested it "might be time to wrap it up".
O'Neill returned to Celtic following a turbulent period and last season steered the club to both the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup, achievements the article describes as a double few expected. His first spell at the club included a near miss in the 2003 Uefa Cup final against a Jose Mourinho-inspired Porto, who, the following season, won the Champions League. Those successes underpin the view of O'Neill as one of Celtic's most celebrated managers and frame the significance of his remarks about retirement.
Addressing reporters, O'Neill said: "I genuinely will reflect and see," and added: "It's a matter of whether I can help the team. The manager is supposed to be able to do that. I will look at that this week." He referenced age as a factor, saying: "I think every single time something crops up and things don't go so well, age plays a part. And, do you know what, they might be right. I'll be 110 in two years' time so it might be time to wrap it up." He confirmed he would "reflect on the games and speak to the board" and that he would "try to get a couple of days away and see how it goes."
The comment followed a difficult run that included a home European defeat to Ferencvaros between two losses to Rangers. The piece recalls Celtic's August Champions League play-off collapse in Linz when, half an hour into the second leg, they were 4-0 up on aggregate against LASK and subsequently exited the competition. Domestic form since that exit has produced four league wins described as largely unimpressive, with three of those being single-goal victories against Falkirk, St Mirren and St Johnstone.
Questions have been raised about the summer recruitment, with former Scotland international James McFadden telling Sky Sports: "They haven't actually added to the squad in terms of numbers or real quality. They've just replaced what left." The report notes O'Neill's attempts to integrate signings Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh have not yielded clear returns, and that he has experimented with different midfield combinations. Tactically, he even omitted wingers in Sunday's derby, deploying five defenders and pushing full-back Kieran Tierney further forward, measures that did not alter the outcome.
Former player and pundit Chris Sutton criticised the performance on Sky Sports, saying: "It wasn't a close game. There was a massive gulf. I can't remember a Celtic team getting such a doing from a Rangers team at Celtic Park. Rangers were a team and Celtic weren't. They knew their next pass and Celtic didn't. Rangers were better in every department. They were smashed and that's the concern. They have big problems, some self-inflicted. They've lacked legs and physicality in the middle of the park. This has been a big issue all season. Callum McGregor's another year older, can't get about the pitch like he used to. Martin will have to come up with something. I loved him as a manager when I was at the club. He is getting on a bit but, as a guy, I still think he has the fight for it." Neil Lennon, speaking on Sky Sports, said: "He's hurting, he's smarting about it. He'd want to find the answers. The break's come at a good time for him - recuperate, get some sun and re-think about the whole thing. He still feels he's got the energy to do it." He added: "When you get a week like this - not only defeats but the manner of the defeats - he knows himself more than anyone there's going to be a lot of scrutiny, criticism and introspection."
Fan reaction quoted by the report included a series of critical messages: Lee wrote, "This is it for MON - his starting XI looked weak in midfield and proved to be. What he and the coaching staff have done to our big summer signings after bright starts is a worry. And the general fitness is telling, too." Alec posted, "What game was MON watching, to say it was a close game? Wow. It's quite obvious MON and coaches don't know best 11 or also a formation for them. How Ox can't get in that team and they can't see our midfield getting overrun every game is beyond me." Kev commented, "You can see O'Neill throwing the towel in here soon. I don't blame him. There's something smouldering at the club . This international break has come at the right time for Celtic. Dermot [Desmond] will be phoning his mate Pep for a hand at this rate." Wayne said, "Let's be honest, getting beat is part of the game, as a fan you can accept that. What as fans you cannot accept is not giving it all, and that's the problem Celtic have at the moment, getting beat by average teams three games in a week. Shocking performances." Danny wrote, "The board will keep O'Neill on as they think the fans won't turn but another loss today and it will become very toxic and all the good O'Neill has done will be forgotten." The article invited readers to "Send us your views on Celtic."
O'Neill said he would take time to consider his position and discuss the situation with the club's board, and that he intended to "try to get a couple of days away and see how it goes," indicating the immediate next step in his personal decision-making process.
