Martin O’Neill was heckled by Carl Frampton in his acceptance speech at the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards.
O’Neill was presented with a special award after his contributions at Celtic, and also inducted into the Hall of Fame for his part in the Northern Ireland squad that went to the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
Of course, attention is primarily on his future at Celtic Park, after he delivered an unlikely league and Scottish Cup double in interim charge of the club.
He gave an update on talks with Dermot Desmond in his speech, but Rangers-supporting boxer Frampton butted in.
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O’Neill said on his future: “I’m seeing Dermot Desmond next week, but I think he’s looking for a younger man…
“He’s looking for a 71-year-old!” he quipped.
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“I am getting awfully old, but I don’t know what’s in his mind, whether I would have the energy to do it again, I genuinely don’t know.
“It was a surreal time (this season). My wife and I were having a coffee on the King’s Road in the Chelsea area of London and I got a call from the owner of Celtic Football Club to say that Brendan had resigned.
“He asked would I step in and said I might be there for two weeks or two months, so I did the first spell and they appointed another manager (Wilfried Nancy), but things didn’t go well for him, which is the nature of the game…”
Frampton interjected, saying that Celtic could’ve kept Nancy, to which O’Neill responded: “What did you say Frampton?
“Funnily enough, I met him for the first time ever on the King’s Road, he was 12 at the time, fighting for the world championship.
“Was that just a crass comment that you made? I am actually bigger than you. If you’re arguing with me then I will get Billy Hamilton to sort you out.”
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“But I’m really delighted, honestly – I just wanted to join the ‘82 lads and this is really special, so thank you very much.”
“But it was nice to be asked first time, and because of it, I get your award so thank you very much.”
“This is a real surprise. Gerry Armstrong told us about the 1982 table. A lot of people here weren’t even born in 1982, and I have to say, having walked through the room, I am by a million miles the oldest person here!” he added.
“Thank you very much; it’s lovely to join my old colleagues, who have honestly been great, great friends, great players and 1982 was really special.”
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