Martin O’Neill has been a breath of fresh air at Celtic.
On two occasions this season. O’Neill has answered the club’s SOS: firstly after the resignation of Brendan Rodgers, and secondly after the sacking of Wilfried Nancy.
On both occasions, he has overseen an upturn in Celtic’s form. Had he been in charge all season, it’s likely that the Hoops would be well in front in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Upon returning for the second time, O’Neill committed to leading the team until the end of the season. Most fans aren’t looking beyond that currently.
Asked on the spot on Tuesday, the Irishman indicated that he wouldn’t want to take the team beyond the current campaign – this has rubbed Alan Brazil up the wrong way.
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Alan Brazil on Celtic boss Martin O’Neill
After Nancy’s sacking, Celtic head of football operations Paul Tisdale followed him out the door, in an apparent dismantling of the club’s football strategy.
Michael Nicholson and Dermot Desmond are now tasked with making multiple senior football operations over the coming months.
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Given this uncertainty, as well as O’Neill’s age, it’s completely understandable that he isn’t currently planning anything long-term.
Speaking on talkSPORT, however, Brazil said that he ‘didn’t like’ the comments – and didn’t think the Parkhead faithful would, either.
On his morning show alongside Ally McCoist, the radio host said: “It disappoints me, that does.
“I don’t think Celtic fans want to hear that either. ‘Do I want the job at the end of the season? No I don’t’ – I don’t like that.
“He should never have gone in the first place, it was a disgrace what happened. We got him back and he has done brilliant. So don’t answer that.
“I am just saying, Celtic fans will be very disappointed with that.”
McCoist said in response: “Well, wait a minute. Why? The man has been nothing but honest.
“You and I are going to give the man stick for being completely and utterly transparent and honest with us.”
“He was asked a question, how he was feeling right there and then, and gave us a 100 per cent honest answer. That will do for me.”
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Nancy and Tisdale were dismissed after a 3-1 home Glasgow Derby defeat to Rangers, beginning his return with a comfortable 4-0 win over Dundee United.
Days later, Celtic followed that up with a 1-0 away win at Falkirk. Whilst Nancy was unable to deliver a single clean sheet in any of his six games in charge, O’Neill did it each of his first three.
Tasked with getting four points from his remaining two Europa League games, O’Neill achieved that too, earning a point away at Bologna despite playing an hour with ten men.
Celtic were also shown a red card in their away top-of-the-table clash at Hearts; still managing a 2-2 draw there, too.
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