Former Celtic striker Tony Cascarino has dismissed discussions that Martin O’Neill’s age will be an issue, as reports emerged that he will remain as manager.
O’Neill, 74, held talks with major shareholder Dermot Desmond, with the decision that he will stay on as manager for another season, with the option of a further year.
He guided Celtic to a league and cup double in dramatic circumstances, having beaten Hearts on the final day as the Hoops made it five successive Premiership titles.
O’Neill wanted time to rest and consider whether he’d be willing to remain in the dugout.
Robbie Keane held ‘constructive’ talks with the Celtic hierarchy, but ultimately lost out to the veteran manager.
Tony Cascarino, who played for Celtic in the 1991/92 season, has dismissed claims that O’Neill is too old to lead the squad for at least another campaign.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, he said:
“Yeah, well, look, the drug of football always gets people to go back into it. I know many managers who are out of work at the moment. If they were offered, they’d go back in.
“And some of them have said that they’re done. Some of the friends who, you know, I’ve had in football. And Martin’s no different.
“He went back to Celtic. He obviously loved the experience of what happened last season. And somewhere along the line, he’s got caught up with the love of the game.
“He’s played all his life. He’s been involved in all his life. And I get it.”
Cascarino used Guy Roux as an example, a french manager known for taking charge at French side Auxerre over multiple spells across 40 years.
“There was a guy called Roux in France who managed Auxerre a number of times. He ended up managing until he was about 80.
“He’d come back, saved him. And he only admitted, he said, if I’ve got a job and I can still do it, I employ young people around me and I manage the club and I manage them. But they can do things I can’t.
“And I think Martin’s at that stage where he doesn’t have to do things like he did 20 years ago or 30 years ago when he was into management. It’s slightly different for him now. If you’ve got the right people around you, because we all need teams.
“It’s an incredible football club. Why wouldn’t he do it?”
O’Neill credited his coaching staff for having a great influence on the day-to-day decisions, which led to Celtic securing two trophies in a turbulent season.
Work now turns to recruitment, given that several key players are likely to depart. The squad needs an overhaul, and with O’Neill now locked in for next season, he deserves the financial backing that mirrors his dedication to the club.
