#martin-oneill

#martin-oneill

"You will be relieved to know that this is definitely it for tomorrow evening, so I've been assured of it by the board," O'Neill said at yesterday's press conference. "A young gentleman's coming in and it's over to him. "But obviously, we've got the big, big game here tomorrow evening and obviously, I'd like to try and win it if we can."

Image source, SNS An Old Firm semi-final is rarely a tepid affair and the Scottish League Cup final-four meeting between Celtic and Rangers did not disappoint. Celtic won 3-1 against 10-man Rangers after extra time to advance to the final against St Mirren - but there were wider narratives at play at Hampden for both clubs. Martin O'Neill is back as a caretaker manager at Celtic, and the win naturally increased thoughts - not least by the man himself - of the icon staying longer.

We won the last three games I was in charge, O'Neill says. I'd come into the job in January after I met Marinakis in London. We agreed that we'd work over a 17-month period and he said: Don't worry about [chasing an unlikely] promotion now. Next season we will really make the charge.' I thought that was absolutely fine and I didn't want any longer, because if I couldn't get them promoted that would be it.