Martin O’Neill says he’s in a better headspace in his first interview since returning as Celtic boss.
Celtic finally announced O’Neill’s permanent appointment on Thursday afternoon, almost a week after the news broke of his agreement with Dermot Desmond.
A remarkable record across two interim spells this season delivered a league and cup double to Parkhead, despite it looking unlikely for much of the campaign.
Reflecting on his decision to take the job on the day of announcement, O’Neill had some encouraging words.
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O'Neill has signed a one-year deal with the option for a further year…
Martin O’Neill: Celtic gave me some time to think about job
Speaking to Track Radio, O’Neill said: “It’s been a busy day, yes.
“The club gave me some time to think about it, probably because of my age as much as anything else, and whether I would have the energy, determination and all those things that go with it.
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“Despite the fact that I’ve not been away on holiday yet, you get some sort of rejuvenation, and I kind of feel up to it.
“Time will tell — I must admit, I’m in a better headspace, if there’s such a thing in this life as being in a better headspace.”
On his one-year deal with the option of an extension “It’s another year of your life, and options in general don’t really mean a great deal.
“It means that all parties have to agree to it, so for instance, if things went really well and I was asking for another year — which is very, very unlikely, I must admit, if I took this length of time to think about this year, so you can imagine what another year of your life will do…
“But if, for instance, I thought that everything was going fine and I wanted another year, that’s up to the football club to make that decision.
“They may disagree, so it doesn’t really matter, and vice-versa, like everything else.
“If things were going well, and the club wanted you to stay, but you didn’t feel up to it, then it doesn’t really mean a great deal in those sort of terms.
“So I just think I can only deal with the immediacy of things as much as anything else, and that’s like just round the corner.”
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Celtic’s decision to hire Martin O’Neill permanently
Many feel that O’Neill has earned the right to stay on in his position, but there is a fair bit of a surprise that he has committed to stay this summer.
A major rebuild awaits, and there’s little time to waste. Any manager would need help given the amount of business to be done.
O’Neill was extremely popular among the Celtic players, with many voicing their support for him staying.
But with many of them expected to move on this summer, the dressing room will have a very different look by the end of this summer’s transfer window.
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