Martin O'Neill deserves a lot of credit for the job that he has done as interim Celtic manager. Firstly, he answered the call in a time of need for the second time this season, agreeing to return after Wilfried Nancy was sacked. He took on a team that had lost six of their eight matches under the Frenchman and has not lost in the following nine games, winning seven and drawing two. Even in those draws, the Hoops had a player sent off on each occasion while they were in winning positions.

So, people can say whatever they want about the performances, but nobody can question the results that O'Neill is producing with what is clearly not a Celtic-level squad, or has not looked so this season.

In the long run, O'Neill is not the answer though. He is 73 years of age and was retired for all intents and purposes, having not managed since 2019, before taking on the Celtic interim role this season.

O'Neill looks happy enough to leave at the end of the season, when his interim run comes to an end. Celtic will need to look for a new manager again. And that is going to be a tough task, especially after how things turned out for them with Nancy.

Roberto Martinez is one manager who has been linked with the Celtic job recently, and is even believed to be the one of the favourites to get it in the summer.

Shaun Maloney is someone who will know Martinez better than most, having worked with the Spaniard as an assistant, back when he was the Belgian national team boss.

Maloney has made it clear though, that he will try to convince Martinez to join Celtic. While speaking to Sky Sports, when asked whether he would reach out regarding a move to Parkhead, the coach said: “No, it’s definitely above my pay grade. I’m just concentrating on trying to make the team better, help recruitment as much as I can and leave those big decisions to the key guys here.”

Martinez is currently the manager of the Portugal national team, and he will be looking to make his mark at the upcoming World Cup, which is sure to be Cristiano Ronaldo's last.

That being said, rumours have already emerged that Portugal are thinking about the future beyond Martinez, whose contract runs out after the World Cup. It has been suggested that Jose Mourinho could be offered the job following the tournament, which could open up the window of opportunity for Celtic to make their move for the Spaniard, if they are indeed interested in him.

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