Martin O'Neill to hold talks with Celtic over permanent manager job

Martin O’Neill is set to hold talks with Celtic owner Dermot Desmond over the permanent manager’s role next week.

The Hoops ran out 3-1 winners over Dunfermline at Hampden Park today to pick up their second piece of silverware of the season.

Martin O’Neill led the club to the Scottish Premiership title last weekend, before sealing the double against Neil Lennon’s Pars at the national stadium.

The Northern Irishman says he will meet club chiefs in the next week to discuss his future, but hinted the Scottish champions may prefer “someone younger”.

Speaking after the team’s win at Hampden, O’Neill said: “I did say here, if you’re asking if I would start back in a week’s time, I genuinely couldn’t do that. I would have to have a think.

“I think in the next week I will meet up with the owner (Dermot Desmond) to see what he’s saying. He hasn’t said anything to me. I don’t know whether that’s good or bad news.

“I will genuinely have a wee look at it to see. I would be thinking that the football club, to go forward, would probably be looking at someone younger.

“There wouldn’t be anybody in this room my age here. So you’ve got to consider that. Listen, I know I can pass it off as a joke, but I genuinely don’t know.

“I would think that I must be in consideration for the job, even though it might only be for a very short term.”

Regardless of whether the Celtic icon takes his place in the dugout next season, he is adamant he will always have a hunger for the game.

The 74-year-old manager said at a post-match press conference: “I don’t think I’ll ever lose my hunger. I don’t think I’ll ever lose the passion for the game.

“Honestly, I really don’t. I think when they’re putting a lid on top of me, I think I will jump up and say what’s the score?”

Before this season, O’Neill’s previous nine major honours as manager with Leicester and Celtic had been won with Lennon in his midfield, and the 54-year-old believes his mentor has earned the right to stay on.

“I think it’s his decision,” Lennon said. “I think it should be his decision, whether he wants to stay on or not. The club should let him decide what he wants to do.

“He has put himself in the best position. I don’t see many other candidates out there who could do what he’s done this season. And it doesn’t surprise me.”