Martin O’Neill yesterday admitted that he never came close to leaving Celtic, despite a disappointing three game losing streak before the International break…
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill looks on during the Scottish Premiership 2026/27 match between Celtic and the Rangers at Celtic Park on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The hugely experienced Irishman was under severe scrutiny after losing twice to bitter rivals the Rangers as well as the home defeat to Ferencvaros in the Europa League, but explained that the decision to stay put was an easy one in the end.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed with the week that we had,” he explained. at yesterday’s mainstream media conference. “As long as the football club wanted me, I was happy to do it.”
Three weeks have passed since a 1-0 home loss to Rangers, Celtic’s first dropped points in the league campaign this season.
Ryan Naderi of the Rangers celebrates scoring the only goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and the Rangers at Celtic Park on September 20, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“Leaving at this particular stage would have been poor,” admitted O’Neill. “Deep down, obviously through the disappointment of losing the games and maybe with the international break coming up at the time, maybe it gave me a little bit of time to reflect.
“Had there been no international break, I probably wouldn’t even have said what I said.”
Martin spoke of his success last season, noting “it gives you that spur to want to go and do it”, as he looked ahead to nine games over a 28-day period before yet another break for international football.
“This is what you want to be involved in,” the Celtic boss said. “Whether you’re good enough to play European football might be another thing. But at least you want to be involved in it. So we go with it.
“I have belief in the team and I think that our focus should be to try to win the league.”
13th September 2026; Ibrox; Scottish League Cup Football, Rangers versus Celtic; Haissem Hassan of Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Martin also revealed that he still has a hunger to face the challenges ahead for himself and his team in an optimistic fashion.
“I have great enthusiasm,” he added. “I always have had a great enthusiasm for the game of football.
“I enjoyed last season in a strange sort of way, even though I sometimes say that I don’t enjoy management – but I’m past the joking stage. You naturally get concerned for the games. I’m always worried about football match.”
13th September 2026; Ibrox, Scottish League Cup Football, Rangers versus Celtic; Mika Baur of Celtic on the ball. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Clearly the three week break has done Martin a world of good and let’s hope that it’s the same for his players. We’ll certainly find out for ourselves with this tough upcoming schedule that is packed full of tough matches starting tomorrow lunchtime against Motherwell at Fir Park.
Here’s Martin’s media conference…
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Celtic in the Fifties by Matt Corr, in two volumes, both published on 4th September 2026 by Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.
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