Martin O’Neill marked his Celtic homecoming with a comprehensive win at Parkhead, and there has been a claim on the chances of him landing the Hoops job on a permanent basis.
O’Neill Celtic return begins with 4-0 win over Falkirk
The 73-year-old former Hoops manager was installed along with ex-Celtic player Shaun Maloney as the interim management team following the stunning resignation of Brendan Rodgers on Monday night.
Irish striker Johnny Kenny scored twice in the first half before goals after the break from midfielder Benjamin Nygren and wide-man Sebastian Tounekti took the Hoops to within six points of William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts, who drew 2-2 at St Mirren. O’Neill, who was Hoops boss between 2000 and 2005, said:
“I know the confidence’s been a bit low. That’s the most natural thing in the world, even the very, very best sides if you’re not getting a result.
“Players then stop doing things that they almost like naturally would do. There’s some of the lads in the dressing room that would have no idea who I was but they’re only about 10 years old and some of the other lads, I said we have quite a number of winners in the dressing room. That’s really important.
“Those lads have experienced some lows during the course of the season and then fight back and the captain (Callum McGregor), he’s a real quality player. But there was great performances all around this evening and just to win.
“So, yeah, they becalmed my dreadful insecurity problems. Naturally, delighted to win the game. But there wasn’t a thought about anything else.”
O’Neill joked about being nervous before the game. He added: “Well, first of all, I jokingly said – maybe true – I have not been as nervous since I sat my 11-plus but, again, I think I passed that when I was 48.
“But honestly, really concerned about the game, naturally. Concerned about the usual thing about letting myself down, which is I’ve done so many times it’s untrue, and letting other people down here at the football club.
“Just coming in a bit of a whirlwind and to play in the manner which we did when I thought was great and obviously most important thing was winning the game. Naturally, I couldn’t be more pleased. I thought the players did really brilliantly.”
Games
266
Wins
200
Draws
26
Losses
40
Trophies
7
Players used
56
Next up for O’Neill and Maloney is Sunday’s League Cup semi-final against rivals Rangers, who are also showing early promising signs under new manager Danny Rohl.
Chances of Celtic making Martin O’Neill permanent manager
Talking to Sky Sports, Tino Callaghan from the Celtic Exchange said that conversations could be had over O’Neill staying on as permanent Celtic manager if the Hoops defeat Rangers on Sunday.
However, Callaghan also added his personal opinion, believing those at Parkhead need to ‘go in a different direction’.
“Results change everything we know that. If they win on Sunday, after last night’s big win, then you maybe start to have that conversation.
“But at the moment, just really pleased to see two former Celts return, but I think the club should go in a different direction.”
A number of managers have been linked with the permanent job, such as Club Brugge’s Nicky Hayen, Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna and Wales’ Craig Bellamy.
How Nicky Haven feels about taking Celtic manager job
O’Neill looks set to be in the dugout at Hampden Park, and if Callaghan’s claim is correct, another positive result may see Celtic chiefs take note and explore the idea of keeping the Irishman on.
