MARTIN O’NEILL reckons the incoming Celtic manager will be delighted with the champions’ triple contract extensions this week.
The club announced today that Liam Scales had signed a new deal until 2030 while Luke McCowan has agreed a new two-year contract.
The Hoops have the option of extending both terms for another 12 months.
The Republic of Ireland international centre-back and the energetic midfielder join James Forrest in pledging their futures to the club after the 34-year-old evergreen winger put pen to paper on a deal until 2027 the previous day.
O’Neill was delighted with the hat-trick as he prepared for tomorrow night’s visit of Falkirk in the crucial Premiership encounter in the five-game run-in to the title.
The interim boss said: “I think the new manager coming in, one; would accept that he would definitely want these players and, two, are they fit enough to do the job? Yes.
“Three; are they good enough to do the job? Absolutely.
“Let’s say Liam Scales, he’s 27 years of age, his contract is running down at this minute. I think you’d want to do something about it now.
“We all see that Liam can do it so I don’t think that my presence either here or there is going to make a big difference. That’s how I see it.
“I just think that he is good enough to play for the football club. Good enough to improve, too, as time goes on. That’s probably how I’d see it and, more importantly, I think that’s how the club see it.
“I’m delighted for Liam and the club.
“He certainly proved himself this season. I don’t know what he was like before I came in, but in my two spells here he’s been absolutely outstanding.
“He’s deserved the contract in front of him.”
O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Luke has done really well for us. He would like to start more games if he could. But he’s been excellent.
“James speaks for himself, really, with what he has done.
“He’s been terrific here, he’s been a really great player. It doesn’t matter who’s going to be the manager, he’s worked under quite a number.
“And I’m sure he will impress whoever’s coming in at the end of it all so that is one – what’s that phrase? – a no-brainer?
“I genuinely think whoever was going to come in would enjoy working with those players.”
Kelechi Iheanacho, scorer of two vital goals after coming off the bench in the 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final extra-time triumph over St Mirren last weekend, is in the Irishman’s thoughts for a starting place against John McGlynn’s team in the 5.30pm kick-off.
Images courtesy Celtic TV.
O’Neill added: “He came on at Dundee, scored the goal at that stage in the proceedings, probably the only one who would have got us the goal at the time. He’s followed that up there by scoring some goals at Hampden and took them brilliantly.
“And, yes, I think he would like to start in the game. Daizen Maeda started this press from centre-forward position, got us the goal early on. And, yeah, there’s definitely a case for thinking about Iheanacho starting in matches.
“I think he would love to do it.
“Overall, he has made a big impact in the last couple of weeks.”
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