Celtic took their time, but Martin O’Neill is finally back in the building.
As Celtic fans grew increasingly impatient with the delay in confirming O’Neill’s appointment, news began to filter through on Thursday morning that his prospective backroom staff had been offered ‘substantial wage cuts.’
Hours later, O’Neill was finally announced, to the delight of the supporters, as Simon Jordan felt that this should have always been the outcome.
With the 2026 World Cup set to get underway, talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan – currently stationed in New York for the tournament – took the opportunity to react to the news of O’Neill’s appointment from across the Atlantic.
The former Crystal Palace owner hit the nail on the head when he stated that he was left ‘perplexed’ that it was even a conversation about O’Neill getting the gig for next season.
“He went in there, and he galvanised Celtic,” said Jordan.
“So the discussion about whether Martin O’Neill should be given a new contract perplexed me; besides, him keep telling everyone how bloody knackered he was.”
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O'Neill has signed a one-year deal with the option for a further year…
Simon Jordan is hoping Martin O’Neill ‘continues to build on his legacy’ at Celtic
It’s crazy to think that two decades after O’Neill left Celtic, he has returned to Glasgow and is still lifting trophies.
During Celtic’s double-winning campaign, there were calls for O’Neill to be given a statue if he won the title.
In truth, he should be given one outside of Celtic Park, regardless, but now that O’Neill is back in the building, Jordan is hoping his ‘legacy’ continues to grow.
“The only person who would have talked him out of that set of circumstances is Martin,” said Jordan.
“I think Martin will do one with a rolling year. That puts him in a situation where he can see how he feels in a year.
“I don’t even know why it was a conversation. I don’t even know why it was a debate about whether Martin O’Neill should stay in place. I think it’s the least they could have offered him. I hope they have remunerated him properly, and I hope he continues to build on his legacy, because I like him.
“Nobody wanted Celtic to win besides Celtic fans, because we wanted Hearts to win. But Martin did his job.”
Brad Friedel lauds ‘The boss’ O’Neill
If it wasn’t for O’Neill, then Celtic wouldn’t have won anything last season. It was down to his know-how and people skills.
One man who has worked under the legendary Irishman is former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
The former Aston Villa player explained how, when O’Neill puts his foot down, nobody else stands in front of him, because he is ‘the boss.’
“I played with Martin for two years at Villa,” said Friedel. “He’s the boss. He knows what he is doing.
“When I first got there. It was the first time I had met him and knew him, other than playing against him. He’s quirky in how he runs the club.
“But there is always a moment when the manager really says, ‘I am the boss.’ We had a meeting one day, and he knew everything that was going on at the training ground.
“Martin, I am not surprised that he went in and did what he did at Celtic. I wish him all the best.”
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