Celtic in race against time to appoint O'Neill replacement
Back-to-back Old Firm defeats have piled the pressure on Celtic manager Martin O'Neill.
The 74-year-old has come under fierce criticism after a hugely damaging week that saw the Hoops suffer three defeats, including two reverses against arch-rivals Rangers.
Beyond the results, it was the manner of the performances that has concerned supporters, with the Parkhead side playing listless, uninspired football, while O'Neill failed to meaningfully affect the games from the dugout with his substitutions and tactics.
Former striker Chris Sutton has accused Celtic of having become "flat-track bullies" who can only impress against lesser opposition. When the pressure is on, they crumble.
After two defeats to Rangers and a 3-1 loss to Ferencvaros in the Europa League opener, O'Neill has been left to reflect on his future, having agreed to take permanent charge of Celtic in the summer after two successful interim spells last term.
O'Neill to leave Celtic?
"I genuinely will reflect and see," O'Neill said after Sunday's 1-0 defeat, courtesy of a Ryan Naderi goal. "It's a matter of whether I can help the team. The manager is supposed to be able to do that. I will look at that this week.
"I think every single time something crops up and things don't go so well, age plays a part. And, do you know what, they might be right. I'll be 110 in two years' time, so it might be time to wrap it up.
"I will reflect on the games and speak to the board. You never know, they may well want to speak to me. I'll try to get a couple of days away and see how it goes."
Celtic are still top of the Premiership table, but O'Neill is facing intense scrutiny, including from the supporters. Regarding fan criticism, he added: "Well, I think they’re absolutely entitled. I’m not immune from criticism. Far from it. Absolutely and utterly far from it.
"I think there’s every reason to ask, 'Can you turn this round? Can you change the whole thing?' We are, as I said, two points clear, so I have to kind of look at the bigger picture at this minute.
"But I knew that we were in a big, big fight anyway, with both ourselves, Rangers, and Hearts again, who are far from out of anything. It’s a long season ahead. It’s not the first time I’ve been questioned about my managerial time. So, yeah, I’ll have a look at it. I will reflect and see."
Despite the downturn in fortunes, O'Neill has received support from two ex-players. Former Hoops captain Paul Lambert insists that it would be a "shocker" if Celtic were to sack the legendary manager.
"If you’re second, you’re last, and that’s what people have to get their heads around. But there’s no way they could sack the manager - that would be an absolute shocker, and I’d be surprised if Celtic did that to him," Lambert said on talkSPORT.
Club legend Tom Boyd echoes this sentiment in an interview with BBC Scotland when asked if O'Neill will stay: "I don't see a reason why he wouldn't. I know he is 74, but last year he was winning a double for us.
"I can't read Martin's mind, but I don't see at the moment why there would be any decision about that."
Celtic's potential replacements
However, with O'Neill now second-guessing whether he is the right man for the job, potential replacements are being linked with the Celtic job. Surprisingly, the current favourite to replace the Northern Irishman is former Hoops boss Neil Lennon, currently at Dunfermline.
O'Neill's assistant Shaun Maloney, long-time captain Scott Brown and former striker Robbie Keane are also among the frontrunners for the job. The latter was already an option for Celtic in the summer.
Keane quit his job at Ferencvaros in May, giving rise to growing rumours that he was Parkhead-bound. In the end, however, the Hoops stuck with O'Neill after he indicated a willingness to take the job permanently.
The former Republic of Ireland star would be a controversial appointment after previously working in Israel, with Celtic's Green Brigade outspoken supporters of the Palestinian cause.
With Keane having also missed out on the Slovan Bratislava job in the summer - former Man City star Yaya Toure was chosen instead - he remains unattached at present.
However, Celtic aren't the only club considering the 46-year-old. According to talkSPORT, he is one of the primary candidates being considered by Championship side Preston North End after the sacking of Paul Heckingbottom.
