Celtic: Martin O’Neill wants to stay? And can the club afford to let him go?

At this point, the problem is that there is no place available from a player level or there is no agreement at the club. Open Fan Revolt. Poor recruitment. A strong challenge from new-look hearts.

But O’Neill couldn’t say no to Celtic. After back-to-back domestic defeats at the end of Rodgers’ reign, his fellow Northern Irishman began a run of five league wins and a League Cup semi-final win over Rangers.

Unsurprisingly, the club thanked O’Neill for his renewed service and stepped back by appointing Wilfred Nancy in December.

O’Neill returned in January and was picking up the pieces of a botched league campaign as he tried to manage a chaotic transfer window. Celtic were level with Rangers but six points behind Hearts.

They almost went out of the Scottish Cup at home to Dundee but O’Neill’s Celtic are made of stronger stuff. Junior Adamu’s late equalizer paved the way for the Hampden win the club have now enjoyed.

But the cup is just on the cake. The biggest task was to secure their league title. O’Neill achieved a win rate of over 80 percent. Here are his Premiership numbers: played 23, won 19, drawn 2, lost 2.

Amazing by any standards. But, during the flow and chaos of Glasgow’s east end, they are quite impressive.

By mutual consent, this Celtics team is past its sell-by date. But O’Neill’s man-management skills have won them two major trophies, neither of which was seen as exceptional.