Key Highlights
- O’Neill expresses willingness to stay on as Celtic manager after his interim spell.
- Nancy has faced criticism following his first three games in charge of Celtic.
- O’Neill reflects on his brief return to management and offers advice to the current Celtic team.
Interim Manager O’Neill Hints at Desire for Long-Term Role with Celtic
Former Northern Ireland manager Martin O’Neill has revealed that he would have happily stayed on as Celtic’s interim coach after his seven-game spell ended in a 1-0 win over Dundee. The news comes just two days after Celtic suffered their first defeat under new permanent manager Wilfried Nancy, losing the Premier Sports Cup final to St Mirren.
Reflecting on his brief tenure, O’Neill stated that he would have stayed if asked: “Only if asked,” he replied during an interview with Talksport. “That was not a driving force. I’d happily have stayed on.
If they had asked me to stay on, I would’ve done so.” This statement suggests that while O’Neill enjoyed his time at the helm of Celtic for nearly six weeks, it wasn’t his primary motivation to remain.
O’Neill’s return to management with Celtic was a whirlwind, lasting from late October until December 15, 2025. During this period, he managed seven wins out of eight games, demonstrating his ability to stabilize the team during a challenging transition. However, his parting words at Hampden Park were less than positive as Celtic lost the Premier Sports Cup final.
When discussing Nancy’s current struggles, O’Neill provided some candid advice: “I stepped into the job and Dermot Desmond had said to me, ‘you could be in it two weeks or two months.’ We’re looking for someone.
When you get into it, you really enjoy it. You enjoy winning; that’s what it is about.” This statement echoes his own experience of enjoying success at Celtic during his previous tenure from 2000 to 2005.
Despite his brief return, O’Neill feels a sense of nostalgia and believes the team needs harmony: “Celtic disunited are not the Celtic that people should be aware of,” he said. His own experience at Leicester City came up as an example: “I was very, very worried about it because if you fail, you’re considered too old for the job.” However, O’Neill remained optimistic and expressed his continued desire to return to management: “I’ve never lost the appetite for the game, I’ve certainly not lost enthusiasm and I’ve got energy to burn.”
Nancy’s Challenges and Celtic’s Future
Under Wilfried Nancy, Celtic has struggled in recent weeks. The French manager, who took over permanently from O’Neill, has faced criticism after losing all three of his opening games: a home defeat against Hearts (Scottish Premiership leaders) and Roma (Europa League opponents), followed by the Premier Sports Cup final loss to St Mirren.
Speaking about the challenges facing Nancy, O’Neill offered some insight: “You’ve got to give managers chances. I think back to my own time at Leicester City, where I eventually enjoyed nice success.
Can’t win a game to save my life, crowd baying for blood and after 10 games. How lucky I was to win a couple of matches of real importance at a stage.” This sentiment underscores the pressure Nancy faces in his new role.
Reflecting on His Own Career
O’Neill’s career with Celtic is marked by significant achievements, including five Scottish Premiership titles and a memorable Europa League victory over Feyenoord. Reflecting on this period, he said: “I was very, very worried about it because if you fail, you are considered too old for the job and that this is a young man’s game. Thankfully, I don’t think I messed it up.” His return to Celtic showed his continued passion for the sport.
Looking ahead, O’Neill sees potential for recovery: “It is recoverable, of course.
You’re in the football club 10 or 12 days. ‘You cannot make a judgement on anybody over three games.’ The matches were difficult. You have got to give a manager some time.” These words reflect his belief that Nancy’s current situation may be temporary and that with time, success can return.
