Celtic have not ruled out the possibility that they could part ways with Martin O’Neill before the end of the season.
This comes following their heavy 4-1 defeat to Benfica in the Europa League, after they trailed 3-0 at half-time, which has seen his vocal critics speak out yet again.
Despite the boss’ claims that their second-half performance was “excellent”, supporters have once again been left frustrated with a dismal display in Europe.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the fans will not let O’Neill off the hook this season and their frustrations could force Celtic into a decision.
Following a dismal run of form before the international break, the fans at Parkhead were singing songs against the manager, and that sentiment has not yet died down.
While a 2-0 win against Motherwell at Fir Park last weekend eased the pressure on O’Neill’s position, it has not appeased the supporters, with the club also concerned.
Could Martin O’Neill be sacked by Celtic?
Brown warned Football Insider on 12 October that O’Neill has bought himself time with the win against Motherwell but it may not be enough to completely save his job.
The Hoops, rightly or wrongly, will be largely judged upon their Europa League progress after years of domination in the Scottish Premiership.
After a heavy defeat to Benfica, they sit 33rd in the Europa Leaue table, and the blame for those displays will fall on O’Neill regardless of whether he is entirely to blame.
“I’ve seen it countless times before, once the fans turn, it’s very difficult to win them over again,” Brown told Football Insider.
“When you win a game, as Celtic did against Motherwell, it papers over the cracks for a short time and then they’ll go and lose in Europa and those frustrations will come right back.
“That’s what O’Neill is going to have to contend with, every time they lose a game these fans are going to be frustrated and he is going to have to face the crticism.
“Celtic’s bread and butter is the Scottish Premiership, but they’ve been dominant there for years, so the fans are crying out for them to make a little bit of progress in Europe.
“They haven’t done that, and whether that’s O’Neill’s fault or it’s a deeper issue, it’s the manager who has to face the backlash when their performance is below par.
“So you can’t rule out that he might lose his job this season, even though it seems like the club want to back him, because the issue is with the fans and they’re still not happy.”
Are Celtic eyeing O’Neill’s replacement?
Alongside the speculation about O’Neill’s long-term future as the Celtic manager, a number of potential replacements have been suggested and linked with the position.
Regardless of whether the club decide to call an early end to his tenure, the boss will depart come the end of the season, and they will need to find a long-term successor.
However, Football Insider revealed on 15 October that Celtic are not currently considering replacements for O’Neill and are instead looking to the end of the season.
While names may well have been mentioned behind the scenes, there are no immediate plans to identify his successor with months still remaining omn his current deal.
Should results nosedive in the coming weeks, the club may still be forced into a decision, but it is not something they are preparing for as things stand.
