Martin O’Neill has been a welcome boost at Celtic.
On two occasions this season, O’Neill has responded to the club’s distress call: first following the resignation of Brendan Rodgers, and then after the dismissal of Wilfried Nancy.
On both occasions, he has presided over a clear improvement in Celtic’s performances. Had he been at the helm for the entire campaign, the Hoops would likely be sitting comfortably at the top of the Scottish Premiership title race.
Upon returning for the second spell, O’Neill pledged to steer the side through to the end of the season. Most supporters aren’t currently thinking beyond that point.
Put on the spot on Tuesday, the Irishman suggested that he would not want to stay on beyond the current campaign – comments which have irritated Alan Brazil.
Alan Brazil on Celtic boss Martin O’Neill:
Following Nancy’s sacking, Celtic head of football operations Paul Tisdale also departed, in what appeared to be a stripping back of the club’s footballing structure.
Michael Nicholson and Dermot Desmond are now responsible for overseeing several key footballing decisions in the months ahead.
With that level of uncertainty, combined with O’Neill’s age, it’s entirely understandable that he is not making any long-term commitments at this stage.
Speaking on talkSPORT, however, Brazil said that he ‘didn’t like’ the remarks – and felt the Parkhead faithful would share that view.
On his breakfast show alongside Ally McCoist, the broadcaster said: “It disappoints me, that does.
“I don’t think Celtic fans want to hear that either. ‘Do I want the job at the end of the season? No I don’t’ – I don’t like that.
“He should never have gone in the first place, it was a disgrace what happened. We got him back and he has done brilliant. So don’t answer that.
“I am just saying, Celtic fans will be very disappointed with that.”
McCoist replied: “Well, wait a minute. Why? The man has been nothing but honest.
“You and I are going to give the man stick for being completely and utterly transparent and honest with us.”
“He was asked a question, how he was feeling right there and then, and gave us a 100 per cent honest answer. That will do for me.”
Only Alan Brazil could persuade Celtic fans to side with Ally McCoist in a debate…
Martin O’Neill’s third Celtic stint so far:
Nancy and Tisdale were removed after a 3-1 home Glasgow Derby loss to Rangers, with O’Neill beginning his return with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Dundee United.
Days later, Celtic backed that up with a narrow 1-0 away win at Falkirk. While Nancy failed to register a single clean sheet across his six matches in charge, O’Neill managed one in each of his opening three games.
Charged with securing four points from his final two Europa League fixtures, O’Neill delivered, picking up a draw away at Bologna despite playing with ten men for an hour.
Celtic were also reduced to ten men in their away top-of-the-table encounter with Hearts, yet still came away with a 2-2 draw.