Hugh Keevins has launched a scathing attack on Celtic’s hierarchy, accusing them of stepping back while Martin O’Neill is left to clean up the mess for a second time this season.
When Brendan Rodgers resigned, O’Neill was asked to step in on an interim basis. He steadied things, kept Celtic competitive and restored a sense of order during a turbulent spell.
He was then moved aside for Wilfried Nancy.
The gamble failed quickly. Nancy lasted just 33 days, oversaw a damaging slide that cost 12 points in the title race and ended with a cup final defeat. The club turned back to O’Neill to firefight once more.
Writing in Record Sport, Keevins did not spare the board.
“O’Neill is now, as will be the case at Rugby Park on Sunday, the man in charge of damage control. Pushed to the front in order to cope with the most taxing period of the season on the park and any other competent business that arises off the field while he’s at it.
“Pushed to the forefront while other members of the club’s hierarchy, to their eternal shame, retreat into the distance and let Martin get on with it.”
The criticism extended to recruitment.
“Celtic’s punishing schedule of league, European and Scottish Cup fixtures would tax the physical energy, and test the psychological resolve, possessed by a reputedly-reliable squad of players.
“But that is not what O’Neill has been left with at his disposal, is it? He has a belatedly-assembled group of loanees selected from an inventory of European football’s ‘Who’s he?’ category.”
There is no disguising the reliance on short-term additions. Several arrived late, and O’Neill has had little time to mould them into a cohesive unit.
Some have delivered decisive moments. Junior Adamu and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have both struck late goals in recent games, keeping Celtic within reach in the title race.
Rugby Park presents another stern examination. Kilmarnock will make it physical and uncomfortable on their plastic pitch. Celtic need composure and resilience.
O’Neill is back at the helm, again carrying the weight.
Keevins’ message is clear. The spotlight should not stop at the dugout.
board are doing the right thing keeping out of it to much is said about them and the green brigade and not the team so hugh go back to sleep
Get the Green brigade back and restore the atmosphere. Martin and the team need their support, the board hindering us continuously in every path.
Fans, Team, Moneymen, Directors. In thus order.
Come June things in the first three mentioned will definitely change.
But, direction’ees will remain. Most, are jist ‘spendin money’ blind, apart fae makin sure they’re paokitz are filled and brimin wae coin fur therselz.
But onwardz, blindly we support oor failures.
If M o’N doesn’t die of heart failure!!!!!!!!