Martin O’Neill has expressed uncertainty regarding his future with Celtic, suggesting it may be time to “call it a day” following consecutive defeats against Old Firm rivals.
He rejoined Celtic last season as their interim manager twice, achieving an unexpected double that included clinching the Scottish Premiership title with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Hearts on the last day of the season.
In June, he secured the position as the permanent manager, signing a one-year contract with the possibility of extending for another year.
Currently leading the league table with 18 points as the international break approaches, O’Neill’s side recently faced two losses against rivals Rangers within eight days.
Celtic was eliminated from the Scottish League Cup in the quarter-finals after a 3-0 defeat to Derek McInnes’ team, followed by a narrow 1-0 loss at Celtic Park in league play.
Additionally, they fell 3-1 to Ferencvaros in their Europa League opener amid these results.
Following this challenging week, O’Neill stated he would be contemplating his future during the international break.
“I will genuinely reflect on things,” he remarked. “It’s about determining if I can still support the team.”
“The role of a manager is to provide that support. I’ll be assessing this in the coming week.”
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“Every time difficulties arise, age factors in. Honestly, in two years, I might feel like I’m 110, so it could be the moment to step back.”
“I’ll review the matches and discuss with the board. They might want to talk with me too. I plan to take a short break and see how things unfold.”
“The game against Hearts was one of the high points of my managerial career, and while that was exhilarating, I constantly wonder if I still have the energy and passion that I encourage in the players every Friday.”
“I’ll evaluate everything and we’ll see what happens next.”
Celtic is set to face Motherwell away in the Scottish Premiership on October 11.
Fan Take: This situation is significant for soccer enthusiasts because O’Neill is a well-respected figure in Scottish football, and his potential departure raises questions about Celtic’s future direction. The impact of his decisions could resonate throughout the league, particularly as fans look for stability in a season marred by setbacks.
Source: www.soccernews.com
