The new season isn’t even here, and one of the worst takes for the 26/27 Premiership campaign has already dropped.
Open Goal regularly covers all matters relating to Scottish football, including the goings-on at Celtic, Rangers and Hearts.
It hasn’t been confirmed yet by Celtic, but Martin O’Neill will stay on for next season after his two pleasantly surprising, entertaining and dramatic interim spells.
But Si Ferry thinks O’Neill staying put isn’t good news, and he even went as far as to say that both Rangers and Hearts will be ‘happy’ that the Irishman will extend his time in Scotland.
Ferry: “I think Rangers and Hearts will be happy that Martin O’Neill is the Celtic manager.”
Paul Slane: “How would they be happy?”
Ferry: “I know what you are going to say, with the points and that. I don’t think Celtic will get miles better under Martin O’Neill. I think it will be very much the same level of performance.”
Tony Watt: “It’s hard to be the same level of performance as last season because they struggled. I think Celtic can only go up the way.”
What would be your one message to Martin O’Neill about Celtic’s upcoming transfer window?
Martin O’Neill staying on at Celtic questioned
It’s not O’Neill’s fault that Celtic are in a mess from top to bottom.
He should be thanked for guiding Celtic to a domestic double, because without him, the recent campaign would have crashed and burned.
The legendary coach rolled back the years, picked up points for fun, including humiliating Rangers at Ibrox following that penalty shootout win in the Scottish Cup, and sending Hearts crying back to Tynecastle on the final day.
But according to Ferry, the supporters of these teams will be ‘happy’ to still see O’Neill in the dugout.
Does his record not speak for itself? Even at the age of 74? O’Neill won 28 of his 35 matches in all competitions.
All while Rangers spent more than anybody else, and Hearts had their best campaign in decades and decades.
Thankfully, the likes of Tony Watt were on hand to shut down Ferry’s disrespectful claims.
Ferry: “Is that progressive as a club appointing a 74-year-old manager? A big club like Celtic.”
Tony Watt: “If they get through the Champions League, aye. That’s all that matters. Stability is key for that.
“Maybe they aren’t ready to appoint a manager. Maybe they need to change their football inside it. Maybe the departments above. If they rush into another Nancy, everybody is gone. Every single person above that football level is gone. Out of the building.
“So, I think Martin O’Neill saves them a bit of time.”
Paul Slane: “But who else would you give the job to?”
Ferry: “See who wants it.”
Watt: “I think he is the right appointment for the moment and the next year. If they back him and if they get the Champions League.”
Ferry: “Who is going to be buying the players in the summer?”
Slane: “That’s a worry, isn’t it?”
Ferry: “Is Martin O’Neill going to have a say on what transfers are coming into Celtic now?”
Watt: “Maloney will have a big say, won’t he?!”
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