Celtic have named Martin O'Neill as their permanent manager on a one-year deal with a one-year option to extend, turning a stopgap return into the club’s next full-time appointment. The 74-year-old will now lead Celtic into the new season after returning to the dugout twice last season and helping deliver a domestic double.
For readers searching Brendan Rodgers now, the answer is that Celtic have formally settled their direction after a season that ended with the Scottish Premiership title on the final day and the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park last month. O'Neill said it was once again a great privilege to continue as Celtic manager and added that last season would live long in all their memories.
He also thanked the board for asking him back and said the team could not rest on past success, stressing that Celtic must drive forward together in the coming campaign. The wording matters because the club has not only confirmed a short contract, but also left itself room to keep him in place beyond that if results and the season ahead justify it.
The appointment follows talks between Celtic and Robbie Keane, discussions that drew criticism from a number of supporters clubs before O'Neill was installed. Keane had been among the favourites after conversations with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, and his previous role with Maccabi Tel Aviv was one reason some fans objected, even though he was popular at Celtic Park after a prolific loan spell in 2010.
O'Neill’s return now gives Celtic a settled figure to carry the momentum of last season into the next one. The immediate question is not whether he starts the campaign, but whether he is still in charge when the club decides whether to use the extension option.
