Martin O’Neill has been appointed as Celtic’s interim manager following Brendan Rodgers’ resignation, but he backed the club’s rivals to win the title just hours before
Celtic have appointed Martin O’Neill on a temporary basis to replace Brendan Rodgers, just hours after he tipped Hearts as “a different kettle of fish” and backed them to break the Old Firm’s stranglehold on Scottish football.
O’Neill previously managed Celtic for five years from 2000, achieving considerable success at Parkhead. He’s now returned to help stabilise matters following Rodgers’ shock resignation on Monday, which sparked a furious response from the club’s chiefs.
The 73-year-old will take temporary control alongside former Celtic star Shaun Maloney, who was sacked as Wigan boss in March. This managerial shake-up follows the title holders falling eight points behind the leaders at the weekend.
Hearts inflicted a 3-1 defeat on Celtic at Tynecastle, continuing their troubled start to the campaign. Rodgers has now chosen to depart, and while O’Neill faces the task of closing the gap at the summit, he had previously endorsed Hearts’ title challenge.
Speaking on TalkSport, he said: “I know this time last year that Aberdeen had won a host of games early on, and you knew it was never sustainable. With Hearts, it’s a different kettle of fish here.”
The Northern Irishman, who secured seven trophies at Parkhead, also declared: “Celtic are not that physically strong and can actually lose matches.
“Rangers are no threat whatsoever. Although, with the new manager coming in, like you Jim, I think he can maybe do something in time. But they are so far adrift it’s untrue.
“But this is the moment for Hearts. Eight points clear, and that is a decent enough lead. Their confidence is growing and it’ll grow from that victory as well. All the things happening for Hearts are great, whereas, at Celtic, they’re in a wee bit of trouble. I agree with you, though, this is the best time for any side outside of the Old Firm to go all the way.”
Celtic won the title in both seasons under Rodgers after his comeback for a second stint at the helm. Yet this campaign saw discontent reach new heights.
The club suffered a shock Champions League qualifying exit whilst Rodgers criticised the shortage of backing.
Following his departure, Celtic’s principal shareholder Dermot Desmond has delivered a damning verdict on the former Liverpool manager, stating “his words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fuelled hostility towards members of the executive team and the board.”