Martin O’Neill confirmed that his decision to stay on as Celtic manager was made quickly after a brief period of doubt. The 74‑year‑old, who had taken over the club in interim roles last season and guided Celtic to a league and Scottish Cup double, signed a one‑year contract to remain at the helm. He admitted that a string of defeats – two losses to Rangers and a 3‑1 home defeat to Ferencváros in the Europa League – had prompted him to consider stepping down, but the choice to continue “didn’t take that long,” he told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Premiership match against Motherwell.
O’Neill expressed disappointment over the week’s results, noting that the club’s support had been a key factor in his decision. “As long as the football club wanted me, I was happy to do it,” he said. He reflected that leaving at that particular juncture would have been ill‑timed, especially after Celtic’s first league loss in three years to Rangers. The manager added that the international break had given him a moment to think, but without it he might not have voiced his doubts.
The former Celtic legend praised the team’s resilience and his own enthusiasm for the game. He highlighted the importance of staying involved in European competition and expressed confidence that the squad could secure the league title. “I have belief in the team and I think that our focus should be to try to win the league,” O’Neill said, recalling his seven‑trophy haul during his first spell at the club between 2000 and 2005.
Looking ahead, O’Neill remains focused on the upcoming fixtures, with nine games scheduled before the next international break. He reiterated his commitment to the club and his desire to keep pushing the team forward. The decision to stay on, he said, was driven by a combination of personal enthusiasm and a sense of duty to the club’s ambitions. Celtic’s next challenge will be to regain momentum in the league and to progress further in Europe under O’Neill’s continued stewardship.