Martin O’Neill has insisted he remains the right man to lead Celtic and is keen to leave after taking advantage of the international break to reflect on his future.
The 74-year-old appeared to be putting his managerial career in doubt after a run of difficult results last month, admitting it “might be time to call it quits” after Celtic suffered two defeats against Rangers.
Those defeats came either side of a 3-1 home loss to Ferencvaros Europa Leagueputting O’Neill under pressure despite his success since returning to Parkhead.
However, Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson publicly backed the experienced manager and O’Neill has now made it clear he intends to stay on.
“I’m very ready now for it,” O’Neill said in an interview with the club.
“We had a difficult week. It can happen. You can lose against your arch-rivals, you can lose the European game.
“It’s certainly not the end of the world, as it seemed to be described as. I thought it would take me some time, and I didn’t take that long to think about it.”
The Celtic boss is aiming for another league title
O’Neill returned to Celtic last season and eventually had two spells in caretaker charge before signing a one-year deal to remain as manager.
His return was a success as Celtic completed a League and Scottish Cup double, but his recent run raised questions over whether he would see out his last spell in Glasgow.
The Northern Irishman has now dismissed those doubts and set his sights on delivering more silverware.
“I want to lead the club, I want to try to win the league and I’m as determined now as I’ve ever been,” O’Neill said.
“It was a moment of reflection for a moment or two, but overall, I’m back, I’m raring to go and the team is ready.”