Martin O'Neill, the veteran manager of Celtic FC, has dropped a major hint about his future at the club after a chat with major shareholder Dermot Desmond. O'Neill, who is 74 years old, admitted that managing the Glasgow giants has been physically and mentally draining, and he is likely to leave following the Scottish Cup final.
O'Neill's return to the club in January, after a tumultuous 2025/2026 season, has been nothing short of remarkable. He has overseen a dramatic upturn in fortunes on the pitch and united supporters who had staged anti-board protests. The Northern Irishman's leadership has been instrumental in Celtic's stunning Scottish title win, which he ranked alongside any of his past achievements.
In an interview, O'Neill expressed his delight at the team's victory, describing it as surreal and a dream come true. He acknowledged the challenges faced during his tenure, including disharmony within the club and the departure of previous managers. O'Neill's ability to steady the ship and lead the team to success has been praised, despite some setbacks along the way.
Looking ahead, O'Neill remains guarded about his future. He will be in the dugout at Hampden on Saturday for the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline, managed by his former player Neil Lennon. O'Neill's decision to leave Celtic could be influenced by the physical and mental toll of managing a top-tier club at his age. The question of his future hangs in the balance, leaving fans and stakeholders alike eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Celtic's history.
