Martin O'Neill 'sad to see' fallout between Brendan Rodgers and Dermot Desmond at Celtic

New Celtic caretaker manager Martin O’Neill admits it was “sad to see” the public fallout between Brendan Rodgers and Dermot Desmond that led to his Parkhead return.

The 73-year-old, who won three league titles and reached a European final during his last spell at Celtic 25 years ago, will be back in the dugout for Wednesday night’s game against Falkirk.

He will be joined by former player Shaun Maloney in taking the first-team on an interim basis as they look to claw back an eight-point deficit to Hearts and get past Rangers to reach the League Cup final.

On Monday, Celtic revealed that Rodgers has resigned from his role with the club’s largest shareholder releasing a scathing statement against him soon after.

Desmond accused the title-winning manager of being “misleading, divisive and self-serving” as well as creating a “toxic” environment at the club.

Speaking to the media for the first time since taking over the interim role, O’Neill said: “It is (sad to see), I must admit that it is really sad to see that. I obviously wasn’t expecting it, I don’t know what has been going on.

“Despite the fact that Dermot brought me here to the football club 25 years ago, since I left I have not had that many conversations with him.

“I was never asked back again, in my younger days, so all of that there is quite sad to see, but I don’t know what has taken place, so there is very little I can add to it.”