Martin O’Neill’s Latest Celtic Future Claim Changes Everything

Martin O’Neill’s comments about his Celtic future have only added to the debate around whether he should stay on beyond the Scottish Cup Final.

A week ago it felt almost certain this return would end once the season finished. O’Neill himself repeatedly hinted that his second spell back at Celtic Park would likely be short-term and emotionally it already felt like a farewell during Saturday’s title celebrations against Hearts.

Now it is not so clear.

The more O’Neill speaks, the more he sounds like somebody torn between exhaustion and the pull of the job itself. Celtic’s title comeback has clearly affected him deeply and there is no doubt many supporters now want him to remain in charge after what happened over the last few months.

Others still believe the Scottish Cup Final against Dunfermline would be the perfect moment to walk away.

That side of the argument is understandable too. O’Neill came back with Celtic struggling badly after the collapse at Tannadice, rebuilt belief inside the dressing room and dragged the team to another title. There is a clean ending there if he wants it.

But football rarely stays clean for long.

The atmosphere around Celtic Park changed completely during the run-in and O’Neill repeatedly spoke about how much energy he drew from the players, coaches and support. The team itself also looked mentally tougher late in the season, especially in games against Motherwell and Hearts when the title race looked gone more than once.

Speaking after the title win, O’Neill opened up honestly about where he stands physically and emotionally heading into the summer.

He said: (talkSPORT), “Well, if you were asking me today, I genuinely wouldn’t have the energy to do it at this moment.

“And I am fairly decent in terms of age. I’m going to see less days than I’ve seen.

“But who knows? I definitely found energy from somewhere.

“I think that was to do with working with a lot of people. Young coaches were fantastic for me.

“And there’s also, I think, stepping into a training ground each day and seeing a lot of young people.

“I did definitely, I felt a rejuvenation. I’ve definitely felt some sort of renaissance really as much as anything else.

“I’m tired, but it hasn’t left me as from today.

“Do I think I merit it? Of course I have.”

That final line will probably become the biggest talking point.

O’Neill is not just speaking emotionally now. He is openly arguing his case on football terms after taking Celtic from a broken position into another title-winning side.

Whether Celtic actually offer him the job long-term is another question entirely.

What is obvious now is that O’Neill no longer sounds ready to close the door himself.