Mark Fotheringham says Martin O’Neill would’ve gone ‘way beyond’ his interim spell at Celtic

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Martin O’Neill’s interim Celtic spell couldn’t have gone much better.

However, it was over almost as quickly as it started. O’Neill finished with a record of seven wins in eight games after replacing Brendan Rodgers on a temporary basis.

Alongside his coaching staff of Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus, O’Neill reinstalled some much-needed confidence in a team which had been struggling.

It quickly became apparent that O’Neill would not be a permanent option, particularly when Celtic accelerated their pursuit of Wilfried Nancy.

But Fotheringham has now said that O’Neill could’ve remained in the job long into the future.

Mark Fotheringham on Martin O’Neill’s interim Celtic spell

Fotheringham, Maloney and McManus all made their senior debuts under O’Neill, making them a fitting trio to help ease him back into management.

But for Fotheringham, O’Neill had the enthusiasm in abundance by the end of his spell.

READ MORE: Ryan Stevenson’s ridiculous Wilfried Nancy hit piece picked apart by Celtic hero Chris Sutton

The ex-Hoops coach stressed his support for Nancy given that his tenure is underway, but still emphasised how he would’ve wished O’Neill to have stayed longer.

He told the Scottish Sun: “Martin won’t tell you this, but I’m going to say it.

“In my mind, he was really up for the challenge of going and winning titles and cups for this club again.

“The more it was going on, the more enthusiastic he was getting. He could easily have carried on for the rest of the season. In fact, he could have done it way beyond it.

“He’d two young people and another two young coaches supporting, with a fantastic staff round him. There’s an incredible staff underneath the manager which supports whoever comes in.

“It’s maybe romantic, but I would have loved to see the gaffer build a team for the future that could go and compete in Europe again.

“When I was a young Celtic player he was taking scalps, beating Ajax, Juventus, getting the team to the Uefa Cup final.

“We knew the board had the plan to bring in a new manager. No problem. But I can’t deny, it would have been brilliant to see the gaffer at least stay for Hampden on Sunday and leave with a trophy success.

“Now, though, it’s about Wilfried — and here’s hoping Celtic triumph.

“The new manager has inherited elite-level operators who know what it takes to keep the team ticking along and know what it takes to win.

“I’m a big Celtic fan and I really hope Wilfried can be successful.”

Martin O’Neill’s interim Celtic spell

O’Neill admitted to being extremely nervous before his first game against Falkirk – but those nerves were quickly eased in a comfortable 4-0 win.

The small matter of a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers followed, and O’Neill delivered an unforgettable 3-1 extra-time win.

Perhaps the best moment of his tenure, however, was the 2-1 win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam, the club’s first win in the Netherlands since O’Neill himself beat Ajax in 2001.

It came to an emotional close with a 1-0 home win over Dundee last week.