O'Neill receives Celtic backing after 'painful' week
Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson announced that the club will unite behind manager Martin O’Neill after a difficult week that saw the team suffer two defeats to Rangers and a 1‑0 home loss to Ferencváros in the Europa League. O’Neill, who hinted he might consider his future during the international break, had previously suggested it could be “time to wrap it up” following the derby defeat at Celtic Park. Nicholson emphasized that despite the setbacks, the club intends to support O’Neill, who has previously secured nine trophies across two spells at the helm.
The club’s recent financial results underscore the pressure surrounding the on‑field disappointments. Revenue fell by nearly £33 million, resulting in a £4.8 million loss largely attributed to missing out on last season’s Champions League and again failing to qualify this year, after squandering a 4‑0 aggregate advantage in a play‑off against LASK. Nicholson’s statement linked the financial shortfall to the missed Champions League revenue, noting that the team had begun the Premiership season strongly but the Champions League play‑off disappointment compounded the club’s challenges.
Looking ahead, Nicholson pledged that Celtic will focus on domestic success and progress in the Europa League, rallying players and staff around O’Neill to restore confidence. The emphasis on collective support aims to mitigate the impact of recent defeats and financial strain, with the club seeking to rebuild momentum in the Scottish league while navigating the broader implications of reduced European earnings.
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