Celtic can't sack manager O'Neill, says Lambert
Martin O'Neill, Celtic’s permanent manager for a second time, faces intense scrutiny after back‑to‑back defeats to Rangers and a home loss to Ferencváros in the Europa League, following a shocking Champions League collapse to LASK in August where a 4‑0 aggregate lead was surrendered. The 74‑year‑old said he will use the international break to reflect on the recent setbacks, acknowledging that he is “not immune from criticism” and that the club must ask whether he can turn the situation around. Former club captain Paul Lambert, now a commentator, said he would be “shocked and disappointed” if Celtic chose to sack O’Neill, noting that the manager has enough credit in the bank from his previous successes, including a league and Scottish Cup double as an interim boss and seven trophies won as a player between 2000‑05.
Lambert, who insists O’Neill is Celtic’s best manager since Jock Stein, explained that while he would not be surprised if O’Neill eventually left, the club should give him the option rather than force a dismissal. He praised O’Neill for rescuing Celtic twice last season after the departures of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy, describing him as the only person who could have steadied the ship. Lambert also criticized individual performances in the Rangers defeats, particularly defender Cameron Carter‑Vickers’ comments about “playing too random” and “getting a script”, calling them “cringeworthy” and urging players to take responsibility rather than look to the manager for direction.
The fallout from the recent losses has sparked a broader conversation about Celtic’s direction and the expectations placed on O’Neill. Lambert’s remarks highlight the tension between acknowledging O’Neill’s past achievements and confronting the current poor form, suggesting that the club’s leadership will need to decide whether to back the manager through the international break or consider a change. The criticism of Carter‑Vickers underscores a growing frustration with player attitudes, while Lambert’s insistence that the team must solve its problems internally points to a potential shift in accountability within the squad. As the break progresses, Celtic’s board, supporters, and media will be watching closely to see if O’Neill can reverse the slump or if a managerial transition becomes inevitable.
⚡ Effects Interpreter
🌍World Economy
- ▶Currency traders elsewhere may start pricing in the fallout within hours.
- ▶A story like this rarely stays local for long in a connected economy.
🏙️Local Economy
- ▶Local traders often cheer as fans fill the streets.
- ▶Corner shops near the stadium rarely complain about match-day footfall.
🏦Rates & Banks
- ▶A modest drift in borrowing costs is more plausible than a sharp jump.
- ▶Banks generally prefer a wait-and-see approach before touching their rates.
❤️Health
- ▶Sport usually nudges people towards a more active week.
- ▶A shared sporting moment can genuinely lift a whole community's mood.
💷Wealth
- ▶A calm head usually serves savers better than a short reaction.
- ▶Your pension or investments might sway a touch as markets digest this.
🏠Housing
- ▶House prices and rents are unlikely to shift the moment this news breaks.
- ▶First-time buyers watching the market closely may see little change in the short term.