Celtic's chief executive Michael Nicholson has pledged the club's support for manager Martin O'Neill following a turbulent period that has seen the team suffer three consecutive defeats while remaining atop the Scottish Premiership table.
O'Neill, aged 74, has faced mounting pressure after losses to Rangers on two occasions sandwiched around a home defeat to Ferencvaros in the Europa League. The most recent setback came on Sunday with a 1-0 derby loss at Celtic Park, prompting O'Neill to suggest publicly that
it might be time to wrap it up.
Despite the manager's apparent uncertainty about his position, Nicholson indicated that Celtic intends to stand by O'Neill, who has secured nine trophies across two separate spells in charge. According to reporting from the period, O'Neill stated he would
reflecton his future and
speak to the boardafter the Rangers defeat, with indications he would take time away before reaching any decision.
The club's backing comes as financial results show a significant downturn, with revenue dropping by nearly £33 million. A loss of £4.8 million has been attributed largely to Celtic's failure to qualify for the Champions League group stage, having squandered a 4-0 aggregate advantage in their play-off against LASK last month.
What has the club said?
Nicholson acknowledged the recent difficulties in a statement accompanying the financial disclosure.
Having started well in the Premiership this season, we experienced disappointment in the Champions League play-off,he wrote.
Reaching the league phase of the Champions League is an objective for us all, and we are sorry not to have achieved it.
He continued:
On top of that, the losses in the last week have been painful for us all. We will now come together and support Martin and the players, as we focus our efforts on achieving success domestically and in the Europa League.
How deep are the underlying problems?
The recent defeats represent the culmination of concerns that have been building for several weeks. According to analysis from 20 September, the pressure surrounding O'Neill had intensified significantly, with observers describing the situation as potentially deeper than a temporary slump. The Ferencvaros loss in particular was framed by O'Neill as another
European lesson, suggesting the team's difficulties extended beyond a single poor performance.
Earlier in September, O'Neill had acknowledged that Celtic were
still well shortdespite winning their opening six Premiership matches, indicating that the manager recognised the side was not yet functioning convincingly.
What happens next?
O'Neill is expected to use the international break to review his position before holding discussions with the Celtic board to determine his future. The club's next league fixture is scheduled for 10 October 2026, when Celtic travel to face St Johnstone away. This fixture marks the beginning of a demanding sequence of matches that includes encounters against Motherwell away, Benfica away, Hearts at home, Celta Vigo at home, Hibernian away and Dundee United at home throughout the remainder of October.
The international break provides a window for both the manager and the club to assess the situation before the fixture schedule resumes, with the outcome of O'Neill's deliberations likely to become clear before Celtic's return to competitive action.
Key Facts
- Martin O'Neill has lost three consecutive matches, though Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premiership
- The manager suggested he may step down following Sunday's 1-0 derby defeat at home to Rangers
- Celtic's financial results show a £33 million revenue drop, largely due to Champions League qualification failure
- O'Neill has delivered nine trophies across two spells as manager
- The club's next league match is away to St Johnstone on 10 October 2026
