O'Neill confirmed as Celtic's permanent manager

Martin O'Neill said it was a "great privilege" to be confirmed as Celtic's permanent manager for a second time and vowed the club will not rest on the success of last season.

The 74-year-old's two interim spells in charge resulted in an unlikely Premiership and Scottish Cup double at the end of a season of unrest at Parkhead.

He has agreed a one-year contract with the option for a further year after talks with Celtic's major shareholder Dermot Desmond.

And despite claiming his eight and ninth trophies as Celtic manager in 2025-26, O'Neill suggested he expects a busy summer of action to improve a squad that trailed Hearts for most of the season.

The Northern Irishman's sentiment was backed up by interim chairman Brian Wilson and principal shareholder Dermot Desmond.

"It is a great privilege for me to continue as Celtic manager," O'Neill told the club's website.

"Last season will live long in all our memories and to be part of that success has in a big way whetted the appetite to work again for more days like those and bring our supporters those moments.

"I would particularly like to thank the board for giving me this opportunity.

"Celtic can never rest on past success so we are aiming to drive forward together and deliver again for the club and our fans.

"I thank our fans for their ongoing support, it means everything. I look forward to being back at Celtic Park, when we will come together and strive to bring our fans the success which that support deserves."

Wilson said the appointment was "the start of a busy summer" where the club "will ensure we are in the best possible position to compete".

Desmond echoed Wilson's perspective by saying O'Neill will be "supported fully" during the close season.

"Time and time again Martin has shown his qualities," said Desmond.

"We know he is a winner, we know what the club means to him and he continues to be the outstanding candidate.

"He knows the demands at Celtic and I know how determined he is again to bring success to the club and our supporters.

"The club will support Martin fully again across the close season to make sure we are well prepared to achieve domestic success and compete on the European stage."

O'Neill returned to Celtic - 20 years after a successful five-year stint as manager - in late October on a temporary basis following Brendan Rodgers' departure.

He won all of the domestic games during eight matches in charge, with the only defeat to Midtjylland in the Europa League, but made way for Wilfried Nancy in December.

However the Frenchman left after six defeats in eight matches, leading to O'Neill's return in early January until the end of the season.

There is no mention in Celtic's statement confirming O'Neill's appointment of who will form his support team for his second spell in permanent charge.

Former winger Shaun Maloney and ex-midfielder Mark Fotheringham were O'Neill's lieutenants as Celtic reeled in Hearts in a dramatic title race.

Gavin Strachan, Stephen McManus and goalkeeper coach Stevie Woods were also part of the backroom team that delivered Celtic's fifth consecutive league title.

It has been reported that Celtic failing to reach a deal, external with Maloney or Fotheringham was the reason for the delay in announcing O'Neill's appointment.

Ensuring he has the coaches he wants by his side will be the first of numerous issues facing the former Northern Ireland midfielder as he begins his second spell in permanent charge in his mid 70s.

Paul Lambert, a key member of O'Neill's Celtic side in his first spell at the club, says the appointment is "a no-brainer" as he can deliver instant success because "Celtic aren't a development club".

The former midfielder dismissed O'Neill's age as an issue, saying "you have it whatever your age", and lauded his people skills.

"His man management was the same as with any top manager I played under - Ottmar Hitzfeld was similar," Lambert said.

"They know how to manage a dressing room, they know how to manage people."

"Martin knows Celtic must be a winning club, it can't be development and waiting for one or two months to get results," added Lambert, who admits he was concerned about the prospect of another Nancy scenario.

"If you don't deliver results you are gone regardless of your best long-term intentions. At Celtic you have to win and he is the best person to do it."

The former Scotland midfielder believes it was O'Neill rather than the squad who got Celtic the double - and that significant changes in playing personnel are inevitable.

"The main person that got them through was the manager. A lot of those players let Celtic down massively and if they have to move on then I am sorry but that is the nature of the game," he added.

"Martin knows he can stand up to any members of the board - they are so thankful for him coming in.

"I am pretty sure no player will come in there that he thinks is not going to contribute and I am not talking about just coming off the bench - he will want people to go in and make a massive contribution."

Celtic beat long-time leaders Hearts 3-1 on the final day of the season to retain the Premiership title and at Hampden Park seven days later O'Neill's side defeated Dunfermline 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final.

Across his two spells last season, O'Neill guided the side to 27 wins and four draws from 35 games in all competitions.

Helped by winning the last seven league matches to claim the title, his average of 2.56 points per game in the league matched his corresponding figure from 2000-05.

Former Celtic player Robbie Keane had been linked with the job before and after his exit from Ferencvaros but several Celtic supporters' clubs stated their opposition to his appointment as a result of his time as Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach.

Jens Berthel Askou had also been linked with Celtic before leaving Motherwell for Toulouse but it is O'Neill who will lead Celtic into the 2026-27 season.

Hugh: I just hope O'Neill gets the full backing of our dithering board and his loyalty will not be exploited to the detriment of his legacy. He is taking a big chance and is dealing with a board that like to play hard ball, while delivering failure after failure on the recruitment front.

Stephen: I'd been hoping we were close to announcing some new players this week but no, typical of this board, we're announcing O'Neill without having reached agreement with his backroom staff, because we're now deciding to haggle and drag things out in-house as well as in the transfer market!

Gordy: Brilliant news on Martin. The top priority now is to buy players who can enhance the team from back to front, not only domestically but also in Europe. We need to retain Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda if possible and add quality young talent.

Brian: Right appointment at right time - brings stability to club. As for recruitment, depends on departures. Whoever leaves needs replaced, plus a top-class striker and central defender.