O'Neill Ponders Celtic Future Amid Cup Final Focus After Premiership Triumph
Martin O'Neill remains focused on the upcoming Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic, indicating that discussions regarding his future at Celtic will not take place before the match. Following a successful return as interim manager, O'Neill expressed doubts about his capacity to continue in the role, citing his age and energy levels. Having managed Celtic from 2000 to 2005, O'Neill stepped in twice this season after the exits of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy. Upon his second return in January, he faced a challenging situation with Celtic trailing Hearts by six points. However, after a thrilling match on Saturday, Celtic secured another Scottish Premiership title with two late goals, overcoming a 1-1 draw. When asked about his future, O'Neill remarked, "No, I don't think anything would be said... I wouldn't have the energy to do it at this moment." Despite his fatigue, he acknowledged feeling a sense of rejuvenation from working alongside young coaches and players at the club. O'Neill reflected on his performance and the support he received, noting, "I definitely found energy from somewhere... I felt some sort of renaissance." He also mentioned that major shareholder Dermot Desmond had reached out to him, and they shared a brief conversation after the title win, highlighting Desmond's positive demeanor. As the Scottish Cup final approaches, O'Neill’s immediate focus remains on delivering another strong performance for Celtic.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-18