MARTIN O’NEILL will NOT quit Celtic as frustration at the lack of activity at the champions continues to grow.
That’s the firm verdict of Chris Sutton, but the former Hoops goal hero warns the Irishman needs to be properly backed as he prepares his squad for the new season.
It’s clear the playing staff needs a massive shake-up, despite their astounding achievement of winning the Premiership title for the fifth successive year with a Scottish Cup triumph bringing down the curtain on a turbulent campaign.
It took the powerbrokers until yesterday – the first day of pre-season training at Lennoxtown – to finalise the backroom team of Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus.
Sutton, currently at the World Cup Finals in the USA on media duties, has been keeping daily tabs on what is happening back home.
HAMPDEN HAT-TRICK…Martin O’Neill, flanked by Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, celebrates the Scottish Cup triumph last month.
The one-time England international striker said: “Almost every day there’s a new player arriving at Hearts, there are new managers and signings at Rangers, other teams are doing business in Scotland and beyond.
“But when it comes to Celtic – nothing. There’s the odd name linked, but they quickly fade away again and it’s understandable supporters start to get agitated.
“There’s been some suggestion this week that Martin O’Neill might feel the same – and even some talk he might feel the job is not worth the hassle.
“I’m not sure about that. Put it this way – I would be absolutely stunned if Martin walked away.
“There’s no chance. It’s not in his nature, even if he was feeling a sense of frustration.
“Celtic got there in the end with the coaching staff, but it has been bizarre that it’s taken five weeks to sort it all out.
“When you factor in the wrangling over Marcelo Saracchi and the discussions over a loan or a permanent deal, it does look a bit embarrassing how long everything is taking.
“Chuck in the uncertainty over Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s futures and it doesn’t exactly prove fans with much confidence about what is to come the rest of the summer.
“If it takes five weeks to secure people who are already in the building, how’s it going to go when bringing in others from outside?”
TAKE OFF…Kelechi Iheanacho celenrates his goal against Dunfermline at Hampden.
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Even over here in The States, I get the sense supporters are losing patience.
“The goodwill from securing the double is quickly evaporating, but there is still time for the Parkhead board to win some of it back.
“Brian Wilson promised a busy summer and the interim chairman – there’s another role to sort out – has to be true to his word.
“In fairness, the picture could look very different in the next two weeks. Celtic could make three or four signings, they might reveal a new recruitment chief and tell people the plan for the short and long term.
“That’s the hope.
“The fear from some is that the club rests on its laurels and thinks everything is hunky-dory because they won the silverware.
“It would be a mistake, though, as we all know that it could have gone either way last season and Rangers and Hearts will come back stronger.
WANTED MEN…Daizen Maeda and Benjamin Nygren get together after the 1-1 World Cup draw between Japan and Sweden.
“Everyone can also see there are potentially more problems coming down the pipeline.
“Wilson reminded fans a few weeks ago there are plenty of quality players at the club, with eight of them at the World Cup.
“That may be true, but the trouble is, how long will they remain at Celtic?”
The former fans’ favourite added: “It’s almost being taken as a formality that Daizen Maeda will be away – O’Neill admitted himself it would be wrong to stand in his way this summer – and his goal and performance for Japan the other night will only add to the interest.
“I was at the match and it was classic Maeda, full of energy and then he pounced when the time came when he got in behind to finish off a cracking move.
“He was up against Benjamin Nygren, who came off the bench and featured for Sweden as they made the knock-out stages. I know he can perplex at times, but there’s no denying he can be an effective player and there will be clubs watching.
SILVER CELT…Alistair Johnston’s fist of triumph as Celtic complete the double.
“Alistair Johnston has been outstanding for Canada as the hosts secured their path out of their group.
“Back home, the interest in Arne Engels is not going away, either. These are huge players for Celtic.
“While they remain, I get the sense of calm. But that can change very quickly and we know how damaging it can be if Celtic stand in their way of big moves.
“It’s going to be a tricky time for O’Neill to negotiate and he is going to need to be backed properly.”
The clock is already ticking down to the August kick-off. The time for action is NOW!
