Martin O’Neill has confirmed his decision to stay on as Celtic manager after reflecting on his future during the international break.
The Celtic manager admitted before the international break that he would consider his future after three consecutive defeats and speak to the board.
The 74-year-old has now declared himself ready for the challenge after two defeats at Rangers set up a Europa League tie against Ferencvaros.
Asked how ready and determined he was to lead the team forward, O’Neill told the club The Celtic player: “I am, I am extremely prepared for it.
“We’ve had a tough week. It can happen, you can lose to your big rivals, you can lose a European game.
“It’s certainly not the end of the world, as it seemed to be described. But (I’m) ready to go.”
“I thought I would take some time and it didn’t take me that long to think about it.
“I want to manage the club, I want to try to win the league, which we are determined to do, and as determined now as ever.
“It was a time of reflection for a moment or two and, yes, some things you think about.
“But in general, I’m back, I’m trying to go and the team is ready.”
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O’Neill, whose side face Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday, continues live Sky Sportsadded: “What you try and do is analyze the things you did or maybe the things you didn’t do.
“Throughout my time as a coach, I’ve been exactly like that. I think I look to myself first and foremost. Maybe a little bit different as a player because I think I used to blame every other player for my bad performances. But as a manager, you have to look at yourself.
“And if you feel like something is off, of course you have to analyze it.
“Now, there wasn’t a big deal in some of the games. If we got the equalizer just after half-time in the Rangers game, totally different ball game, totally different. But it wouldn’t be. So you have to reflect on some things like that.
“But overall, he did the reflection, he did all that and some self-analysis and he just prepared for the battle.”
O’Neill also revealed that Jota had played 45 minutes in an away friendly against Falkirk on Friday as the Portuguese winger stepped up his comeback efforts after 18 months out with a knee injury.
The Celtic boss has also been encouraged by Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand to return to training after hamstring injuries.
O’Neill added that he would assess Hyun-Jun Yang’s fitness on Friday after the South Korean winger suffered hamstring problems on international duty.
Analysis: Celtic were always calm about O’Neill’s future
Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports News:
Martin O’Neill was never going to be sacked by Celtic after three humiliating defeats in a week before the international break – but there was a real potential for him to be sacked.
After the 1-0 home defeat to Rangers on 20 September, O’Neill said he would need some time to consider whether to continue as manager of the club.
Those comments sparked widespread reports and speculation from supporters that the 74-year-old was on the verge of stepping down.
Sky Sports News understand that Celtic have always remained calm about the situation, despite recent results. There was no appetite to pull the trigger himself, especially when teams are at the top of the league.
This was confirmed when Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson backed O’Neill in a statement announcing the club’s latest financial results. He said: “We will now come together and support Martin and the players as we focus our efforts on achieving success domestically and in the Europa League.”
The ball has been squarely in O’Neill’s court and – as he said today – he quickly showed his intent and desire to stay.
Celtic face tricky next five games – Motherwell away (live on Sky Sports), Benfica away, Hearts at home (live on Sky Sports), Celta Vigo at home and Hibernian away (live in progress). Sky Sports).
It will be an interesting month ahead for O’Neill and Celtic.
