Martin O’Neill’s remarkable end to the season appears to have had a bigger impact on Celtic’s managerial thinking than many supporters realised.
According to a report from the Irish Independent, the club had been looking towards a younger long-term appointment before O’Neill’s late-season success altered the picture.
The 74-year-old returned to the dugout during a difficult campaign and initially appeared to be a short-term solution. Celtic were chasing Hearts in the title race and needed stability after a turbulent season that had already seen changes in manager.
At that stage, the focus seemed to be on finding the next permanent manager.
Robbie Keane quickly emerged as one of the leading contenders. Reports over recent weeks suggested discussions had taken place with Dermot Desmond, while the former Celtic striker’s name remained consistently linked with the vacancy.
However, the Irish Independent now reports that O’Neill was effectively given first refusal on the role.
Rather than choosing directly between O’Neill and Keane, Celtic’s decision-makers reportedly wanted to know whether the veteran manager wished to continue before moving forward with another appointment.
That stance became easier to understand as the season reached its conclusion.
O’Neill guided Celtic to five straight post-split victories before lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden. The league title was secured in dramatic fashion and what had looked like an interim spell suddenly became one of the stories of the season.
The Irish Independent reports that those achievements forced a rethink inside the club.
Prior to the double, there had reportedly been discussions around a longer-term project involving a younger coach. Keane was understood to be part of those conversations and is said to have impressed Celtic during talks about the future direction of the club.
Supporters had watched O’Neill transform Celtic’s season in a matter of months. Results changed the atmosphere around the club and, according to the report, changed the thinking of those making the final decision.
O’Neill’s success did more than win silverware. It reshaped Celtic’s managerial plans and ensured the final decision rested with the man who had just guided the club back to the top.
