Martin O’Neill has brought a bit of calm back to Celtic during a messy spell, but nothing about his future is settled.
Plenty of fans would happily see him stay on, yet O’Neill keeps stressing that no talks have taken place and nothing has been promised. The club are still speaking to other options, and the search is very much ongoing.
From the start, he’s been clear he only came back to help Celtic through a rough patch, not to chase the job long term. Even with results improving, he isn’t pushing for anything more than the interim role he agreed to.
He said: (BBC Radio Ulster), “The short and honest answer is I genuinely do not know.
“I am not party to anything that is happening with the board talking to prospective clients and things like this, nor do I want to be because that’s never been a remit of mine.
“The gentlemen involved can very easily make up their own minds about people without me interfering in any aspect. I said that I would do it until they found that replacement.
“And is that possible for next week? I genuinely do not know. My job was to come in and hold the fort, and the minute that someone is appointed, I will step aside.”
O’Neill’s comments make it clear he sees this as a short-term job. He’s concentrating on getting results and keeping things steady, and he’s leaving all the big calls to the board.
Now it’s up to the decision-makers. They have to choose between sticking with the man who’s settled the team or bringing in someone new to lead the long-term rebuild.
The next few weeks will be full of uncertainty, but at least O’Neill’s role is straightforward. He’ll hand things over the second a new manager is appointed, and until then he’ll focus on winning games.
Whatever Celtic do next will shape the club’s direction. O’Neill is simply waiting for the word like everyone else.
