Martin O'Neill in the dark about Celtic future as doubts arise over next match

Martin Macdonald

• 14 Nov 2025 12:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Nieuws

Martin O'Neill has no idea if he'll be in charge for Celtic's next match against St Mirren on 22 November.

Tensions have been high at Celtic Park all season following a dismal transfer window which led to protests aimed at the board. On the pitch, the Hoops were poor at the beginning of the campaign and manager Brendan Rodgers eventually left the club after a 3-1 defeat by Hearts, who are currently the Scottish Premiership leaders.

The next night, former boss O'Neill and former player Shaun Maloney were brought in on an interim basis.

O'Neill is beloved by Celtic fans due to his exploits in the early noughties, leading the club to a domestic treble in his first season and, of course, the UEFA Cup Final in Seville in 2003. In all, he won seven trophies in his time at Celtic Park.

But, nobody had predicted a return after two decades away.

O'Neill is 73 years old which makes him the oldest manager currently working in a major league in Europe. He isn't up for the job on a permanent basis and Celtic are looking for a new coach to take them forward.

As for when that will happen, the Irishman simply doesn't know.

“The short and honest answer is I genuinely do not know,” O'Neill told BBC Ulster when asked if he will be in charge for Celtic's next match.

“I am not party to anything that is happening with the board talking to prospective clients and things like this, nor do I want to be because that’s never been a remit of mine.

“The gentlemen involved can very easily make up their own minds about people without me interfering in any aspect. I said that I would do it until they found that replacement.

“And is that possible for next week? I genuinely do not know. My job was to come in and hold the fort, and the minute that someone is appointed, I will step aside.

“And if it was tomorrow, I would gladly step aside. It’s not a problem. It’s nothing to do with any sort of ego or anything like that. It’s just to help out in the very, very short term.”

O'Neill has taken charge of four matches so far. He has defeated Kilmarnock and Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership and overcame rivals Rangers in extra-time in the League Cup semi-final, though his side were humbled by FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Who will be Celtic's next manager?

At the moment, the bookies favourite to become the new Celtic manager is Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy.

Celtic are considering a number of different options. Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen has been deemed one of the favourites for the job, while Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna is viewed as an unattainable dream target.

The likes of Craig Bellamy, Robbie Keane and Nicky Hayen are also on Celtic's shortlist. All of them, with the exception of Knutsen, are difficult to get mid-season.

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