Martin O'Neill to stay as Celtic manager as veteran boss explains timescale and stance

O’Neill’s future as Celtic boss came under intense scrutiny last month when the Premiership champions lost three matches in a row - including two Old Firm clashes against Rangers.

The 74-year-old admitted in the wake of losing in the league to the Ibrox side that he would “reflect” on the result but having taken time away during the international break, O’Neill confirmed that he still wants to lead the club -resuming on Sunday away to Motherwell.

In an interview with Celtic TV, O’Neill said: “We had a difficult week, and that can happen,” said O’Neill. “You can lose to your arch rivals or you can lose a European game but it’s certainly not the end of the world as it seemed to be described as.

“I did think I would take a little bit of time and it didn’t take me that much time to think about it.

“I want to lead the club, I want to try and win the league, which is what we’ve we set out to do, and I’m just as determined now as ever before.

“It was a time of reflection for a moment or two, and some things that you think about, but overall, I’m back, I’m raring to go, and the team’s ready.

“We have to try and win football matches. This is what the club is based on, and what I base my managerial career on. You have to win games.

“That’s easier said than done, like anything else, but we have to remind ourselves that we’re actually two points clear at this moment in the league, and that’s not a bad start.

“It’s very, very early. Absolutely nothing is over by third week in September, although it seemed from all angles that it was.

“The players here who are back, the non-international players who have trained with us, there’s a good spirit about it, and I think this is the most important thing.

“There is a really good spirit among the players.”