The Full Scottish
Served by Brian P. Dunleavy
When Martin O’Neill heads into the Celtic dugout on Sunday, it will mark his first Glasgow derby as Hoops manager at Celtic Park in more than 20 years.
It will also “most likely” be his last in that role.
For that was his response Friday to a media question regarding his future as Hoops bench boss.
A reporter asked: Will this be your last [Glasgow] derby?
The Irishman responded simply, “Most likely.”
No fanfare, no context (to use a favorite term of former Celtic manager—however briefly—Wilfried Nancy), no disclaimers.
Remarkably pithy from a man willing to expound on almost anything.
However, it’s worth noting that while O’Neill has done an admirable job guiding the Celtic ship in what has been a stormy season, he may not be the innovative, forward-thinking manager many supporters want in the dugout next season.
Consider that in his book, published before in 2025 before he was even a gleam in Dermot Desmond’s eye, The Changing Game: What Today’s Managers Need to Know, by One of Football’s Greats, calls into question much of how the sport has evolved in recent years.
Great Expectations
It’s even rather dismissive of the usefulness of roles such as “technical director” and/or “director of football,” two titles many Celtic supporters are clamoring to see created at the club in the coming months.
What’s also clear, though, is that whatever O’Neill’s expectations were when he returned to Parkhead for the second time this term, in January, it’s likely they were not met by five loan signings, none of whom have made a significant impact on the squad.
The Irishman may not like “directors of football,” but he sure could have used one a few months ago.
No matter. That’s for the summer. O’Neill’s focus, and that of his players, needs to be on Rangers this Sunday, and not on the competitive landscape in Scotland this summer and beyond. And knowing O’Neill, that’s exactly where it “most likely” is.