Celtic Interim Manager Martin O'Neill Open to Talks on Extended Role Amid Key Matches

Martin O'Neill, currently the interim manager of Celtic, has expressed openness to discussions with major shareholder Dermot Desmond about potentially extending his tenure beyond the short term. O'Neill led Celtic to a Premier Sports Cup final victory against Rangers and has indicated that results in upcoming matches, including a Europa League game against Midtjylland and a Scottish Premiership fixture versus Kilmarnock, will influence the board's decision on his future. Despite expecting the club to continue its search for a permanent manager during the international break, O'Neill secretly desires to stay on and is prepared to talk with the club's leadership about this possibility. His recent success and the trust he has rebuilt with players, such as Callum Osmand, contrast with the previous management under Brendan Rodgers, whose communication style was criticized by club legend Neil Lennon. The club plans to use the international break to deliberate on the managerial position, reflecting the uncertainty around the permanent appointment. O'Neill's previous tenure at Celtic and current positive results have made him an increasingly attractive candidate for the role until the end of the season.