Celtic are poised to confirm Martin O’Neill as their permanent manager after the 74-year-old agreed to a one-year contract extension at Parkhead. The veteran Northern Irish tactician has impressed during his second interim spell in charge this season, guiding the Hoops to a domestic double and convincing the board he remains the right man for the job.
O’Neill’s appointment comes after the club shelved plans to bring in Robbie Keane, who had emerged as a leading candidate for the role. The former Republic of Ireland striker held discussions with principal shareholder Dermot Desmond earlier this week, but his potential arrival sparked significant opposition from sections of the Celtic fanbase.
Keane’s managerial CV includes a controversial stint at Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv, which proved to be a sticking point for many supporters. The 44-year-old most recently managed Hungarian champions Ferencvaros before departing at the end of May.
Instead, Celtic have opted for continuity by keeping faith with O’Neill, whose winning formula during his temporary tenure has evidently done enough to earn him another campaign in the dugout. The one-year deal suggests a short-term solution as the club continues to plan for the future, but for now, the experienced manager will lead Celtic’s charge for further silverware next season.
