Celtic Need Martin O’Neill Full-Time — Not a Manager Who Isn’t There Every Day

Martin O’Neill needs to be at Celtic every day.

Not some days. Not simply for matches, major training sessions or media duties. Every day that the first team is working, Celtic’s manager should be at the heart of it.

And that raises a question Celtic supporters are entitled to ask: just how much time is O’Neill actually spending at Lennoxtown?

There is no evidence that Celtic officially employ O’Neill on a part-time contract. That distinction is important.

But there is evidence that he does not personally conduct training every day, with his coaching staff carrying significant responsibility for the day-to-day work.

For me, that simply isn’t enough for Celtic right now.

Celtic is a full-time managerial job

This isn’t about disrespecting Martin O’Neill.

Quite the opposite. His place in Celtic history is secure. What he achieved during his original spell was magnificent and what he achieved after returning last season was remarkable.

But none of that should exempt the current Celtic manager from the standards we would demand of anybody else.

Celtic have just suffered three consecutive major defeats. They were beaten twice by Rangers in seven days and lost 3-1 at home to Ferencvaros between those games.

O’Neill has subsequently admitted he will reflect on whether he should continue as manager. He intends to speak to the board during this international break.

That makes his presence around Celtic even more important.

This is surely the moment to be completely immersed in the job.

Celtic need their manager analysing what went wrong, speaking to his coaching staff, working with the players who remain at Lennoxtown and preparing a plan for what happens next.

Would another Celtic manager escape these questions?

Imagine another Celtic manager operating in circumstances where questions were being asked about how regularly he was actually at Lennoxtown.

Imagine Brendan Rodgers doing it.

Imagine Ange Postecoglou doing it.

Would supporters simply shrug their shoulders?

I don’t believe they would.

O’Neill deserves enormous affection because of everything he has given Celtic. But sentiment cannot determine the standards expected of the current manager.

And there is another issue.

O’Neill himself has previously questioned whether, at his age, he wanted to be involved in management every day.

That was an understandable question for him personally.

For Celtic, however, the answer should be straightforward.

The club needs somebody who can be there every day.

Celtic cannot be left waiting

O’Neill is now reflecting on his future during a three-week international break.

Again, he is perfectly entitled to consider whether he wants to continue.

But Celtic cannot remain in limbo indefinitely while that decision is being made.

Chief executive Michael Nicholson has already publicly stated that the club will come together and support O’Neill and his players.

Support him to do what?

Continue as manager? Rebuild the team? Decide whether he actually wants to remain?

Those are questions Celtic need answered quickly.

This international break represents precious time. Celtic should be using every available day to establish why performances have deteriorated and how they are going to fix them.

The manager should be central to that process.

This is about Celtic, not Martin O’Neill’s legacy

There is no pleasure in questioning Martin O’Neill.

He is one of the most important Celtic managers of the modern era and deserves to be remembered that way.

But this cannot become a ceremonial managerial position built around his legendary status.

Celtic need a manager completely immersed in the football operation.

They need someone at Lennoxtown, influencing standards, challenging players, communicating with coaches and driving the football department forward.

Every day.

If O’Neill wants to continue, then in my opinion that is what the job must demand.

Because managing Celtic is not — and should never become — a part-time job.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• There is no published evidence that Martin O’Neill is officially employed by Celtic on a part-time contract.

• There is evidence that O’Neill does not personally conduct training every day, with his coaching team heavily involved in the daily work.

• O’Neill has previously questioned whether he wants to be involved in management every day.

• He is currently reflecting on his Celtic future following three consecutive defeats.

• Celtic have publicly backed O’Neill, but the club now needs clarity over whether its manager is completely committed to continuing.

• In my view, Celtic’s manager should be completely immersed in the job and present at Lennoxtown throughout the working week.