Former Celtic managerial target Owen Coyle believes Martin O’Neill has earned the opportunity to continue leading the club after overseeing a remarkable turnaround at the Hoops.
Coyle – who was once linked with the Celtic manager’s job himself – has backed O’Neill to remain in charge for another campaign following a season that ended with a league and Scottish cup double against the odds.
After taking charge midway through the season for a second time in the campaign, O’Neill guided Celtic to a memorable Premiership and Scottish Cup double despite the team appearing out of contention at various points during the title race.
A series of disastrous results under Wilfried Nancy had left the Hoops facing an uphill battle, but O’Neill restored confidence and momentum. Celtic ultimately clinched the title with a decisive final-day victory over Hearts before completing the double by defeating Dunfermline 3-1 in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden.
Coyle believes O’Neill’s impact has fully justified extending his stay beyond the current season.
He said via The Herald: “I thought when O’Neill came in to Celtic last October to replace Brendan Rodgers on an interim basis the club would have left him in place until the summer.
“If they had done that it would have been a Treble – not just the Double – that Celtic would have won.
“They were dismissed as possible champions at one stage but Martin always finds a way to win.
“He is the original safe pair of hands and has provided a bridge between the fans and the boardroom at a time when the supporters have had their fair share of grievances.”
Attention is already turning towards the summer transfer window, and Coyle feels the club’s recruitment strategy will be crucial if Celtic are to build on their recent achievements.
Shaun Maloney, who has worked alongside O’Neill throughout the season, is also tipped to play a significant role behind the scenes as the club plans for the future.
While substantial squad changes are anticipated during the summer, Coyle is confident O’Neill and his coaching team possess the experience required to manage the transition successfully.
“That’s a subject Martin can address over the course of the next year and it won’t faze him in the slightest,” he added.
“Recruitment is the key element at any club and Martin has Shaun Maloney to assist him in that regard.
“I remember Sir Alex Ferguson once saying to me, ‘You’ll never get every signing right but if you get seven out of 10 to work then you’ll be doing well.’”
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1 Comment
There will be no shortage of people saying MoN should remain in charge, and that’s within our own supporters as well?
Personally, don’t believe it is the right choice, upon the scale of the potential rebuild we are looking at imo?
But do believe MoN has a crucial role to play within the rebuild imo?
I somehow, don’t think that MoN will like to take responsibility for the managerial decisions that will be required within the whole process involved imo?
But his input could be very valuable, especially as Nancy decided to ignore, and don’t think that we will make the same mistake again?
As we are looking at a fair amount of incoming players required, then going to be far harder to negotiate, if we have a shorter term option with MoN in position imo?
But could sell our club, to potential players far better than most imo?
Now whether any other managerial candidates, would feel comfortable with a MoN involvement within the process required, is a totally different matter altogether?
But do strongly believe that MoN wants the best for our club, and would take great pleasure in trying to make the likes possibly, without the every day involvement that would be required within the managerial role, at his age imo?
Would prefer for MoN to remain as a club legend within our eyes, especially at statue status within our club at present. And still believe his skill set, could be used better for ourselves, than remaining in the dugout on match days imo?
Losing him altogether within our club, would be a huge mistake taken also, but somehow still think MoN has the appetite to stay involved within some capacity within our club all the same