Martin O’Neill can’t imagine Celtic asking him back next season. At this rate, I’m beginning to wonder whether he’ll even make it to the end of this one.

More worryingly, I suspect Celtic’s board could wait until the Premiership title is beyond reach before finding the courage to make another managerial decision.

It would be entirely typical of them.

Speaking ahead of Celtic’s Europa League meeting with Beşiktaş, O’Neill declared:

“I can’t imagine anybody asking me back. Seriously, I can’t imagine that happening.”

Those aren’t the words I want to hear from a Celtic manager desperately trying to rescue a season that’s threatening to unravel.

They’re the words of somebody who sounds increasingly resigned to his fate.

Martin O’Neill Sounds Like A Manager With One Foot Out The Door

Earlier this season, O’Neill suggested this would be his final year at Celtic.

I found that extraordinary at the time, particularly given that he’d only recently agreed a one-year contract with the option of another season.

Why sign that deal and immediately begin talking as though the extension was never a realistic possibility?

There’s a difference between being humble and repeatedly talking yourself down.

Martin has always enjoyed a bit of self-deprecating humour. It’s part of his personality, and supporters have generally embraced it.

However, we’re now well beyond the stage where these comments sound particularly amusing.

Celtic are struggling badly. Results have been dreadful, performances remain unpredictable, and confidence appears to be disappearing by the week.

The last thing this dressing room needs is a manager who continually sounds uncertain about his own future.

I’d much rather hear O’Neill come out fighting.

Instead, we’re hearing somebody who increasingly sounds as though he’s preparing himself for the inevitable.

Where Is The Defiance Celtic Desperately Need?

Six defeats in ten matches should have every alarm bell ringing at Celtic Park.

O’Neill has struggled to establish a settled side, and the football has offered precious little encouragement that a sustained improvement is coming.

Of course, his comments might be tongue-in-cheek. Perhaps it’s simply another attempt to deflect questions about his future.

But when the same theme keeps appearing, it becomes harder to dismiss.

This is a manager who should be projecting absolute determination to turn things around.

Nobody expects him to guarantee trophies or pretend everything is wonderful.

Supporters do, however, deserve to hear some conviction.

If Martin believes he can rescue this season, I’d like him to sound like it.

Because right now, I’m hearing considerably more resignation than defiance.

Will Celtic’s Board Wait Until The League Is Lost Before Acting?

Here’s where my concerns become considerably greater.

I genuinely believe there’s a strong possibility O’Neill won’t finish the season as Celtic manager.

Yet I wouldn’t be remotely surprised if the board waited until the championship was effectively gone before making that decision.

Think about the difference.

Appointing a new manager while the title remains within reach means immediately demanding results. It requires somebody capable of changing the direction of the season, handling enormous pressure and delivering a championship.

That’s a serious appointment requiring serious leadership.

Now consider the alternative.

Celtic allow the situation to deteriorate, the league slips beyond reach, and suddenly the next manager arrives without the immediate responsibility of winning it.

The conversation changes overnight.

Instead of asking whether the new appointment can save the title, we’re discussing rebuilding, preparation and giving somebody time.

How convenient would that be for the people responsible for making the appointment?

I’m not suggesting there’s a secret plan to surrender the championship. Frankly, I’m not convinced there’s much of a plan at all.

What I am suggesting is that indecision could produce exactly that outcome.

And this board has given me precious little reason to believe they’re capable of making a bold, decisive appointment when the pressure is greatest.

Celtic Cannot Afford Another Decision Made Too Late

The most frustrating aspect of all this is that the warning signs are already there.

O’Neill’s comments about his future aren’t isolated. His team’s performances are deteriorating, and the questions surrounding his ability to turn things around are becoming impossible to ignore.

Meanwhile, Celtic’s leadership must surely be considering what happens next.

If they believe Martin remains the man to deliver the title, then back him properly and demand improvement.

Should they have serious doubts, they need to confront them now rather than wait until the decision becomes unavoidable.

We’ve seen enough reactive thinking at Celtic.

Another managerial appointment made after the damage is done would simply reinforce everything supporters have been saying about the people running this football club.

By The Time Celtic Act, Will There Be Anything Left To Save?

Martin O’Neill can’t imagine Celtic asking him back next season.

I’m beginning to wonder whether he’ll survive this one.

But here’s the bigger concern.

By the time Celtic’s board finally decide what to do about their manager, will there even be a championship left to fight for?

Because appointing somebody to rescue a title takes courage.

Appointing somebody after you’ve already surrendered it takes considerably less.

And we all know which option this Celtic board has historically looked more comfortable taking.