O'Neill set to resign from Celtic

[kracken]

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill will announce that he is leaving the club on Wednesday, BBC Sport has learned.

O'Neill's wife Geraldine is ill and it is thought that the 53-year-old will stand down after Saturday's Scottish Cup final to look after her.

His assistants John Robertson and Steve Walford will also depart the club.

It is thought his successor will also be named, with Gordon Strachan tipped for the post. A statement to the Stock Exchange will precede the announcement.

Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov told Celtic TV: "It will be hard to see him go but everyone knows the reason.

"The gaffer has been great in his time with Celtic, with us and with the fans.

"I hope everything goes well for him and his family but, at the end of the day, it is his decision and he knows what is best."

O'Neill has been in charge at Celtic since June 2000.

However, his side relinquished their hold on the SPL title on Sunday as they lost 2-1 to Motherwell and Rangers beat Hibernian.

O'Neill has been linked with a move away from Parkhead virtually every year since he left Leicester City to go north of the border.

That was partly down to Celtic's success under him - they won the domestic treble in his first season, the title again in 2002, reached the final of the Uefa Cup the year after that and in 2004 achieved the league and cup double.

On Saturday they play Dundee United in the Scottish Cup final.

Strachan spent nearly five years in charge of Coventry, from 1996 to 2001, having initially been player-coach under Ron Atkinson.

But his spell there ended unhappily when the Sky Blues were relegated from the Premiership - and he left the club.

However, the Scot was not out of football for long, as he was appointed Southampton manager in October 2001 following the unsuccessful seven-month reign of Stuart Gray.

Strachan spent just under two-and-a-half years with the Saints - leading them to the FA Cup final in 2003 - before announcing he was taking a break from football to have a hip operation.

O'Neill said after Sunday's defeat to Motherwell: "I have no comment to make on my future. This outcome does not come into my thoughts on my future."

>>source<<

[diablos]

rat and sinking ship come to mind

[ABCMan]

rat and sinking ship come to mind

luckily this was actualy trailered BEFORE the championship was thrown away on sunday so i'm afraid that cant be the reason

[diablos]

luckily this was actualy trailered BEFORE the championship was thrown away on sunday so i'm afraid that cant be the reason

Not thrown away bottled..

[mcdee]

good manager pish bad loser . best of luck to his misses

[BLUTO141]

good manager pish bad loser . best of luck to his misses

well said that man

[fonetech]

this is old news and as said he declared this before the match

[toto67]

good manager pish bad loser . best of luck to his misses

I wouldnt say that's a bad thing m8.Thats the make of the man,dont like losing..
But hope all goes well with his Missus and she makes a speeedy recovery..

[mcdee]

awrite toto :tongue

[toto67]

awrite toto :tongue

And yourself I feel you worry to much for me m8 Surely you no shitting me by saying you have a heart God, I thought you's only had swining bricks for them ..Anyway m8,how you been keeping??

[Sir Crapalot]

Totally agree,hope his wife wins her battle,not even the hardest bastard could think otherwise,when someone close to you suffers like that football seems unimportant ,unless your Grahme Souness getting ready for a triple bypass if i recall

[rosebery]

the man has shown courage to lookafter his wife any man who does that is a hero in my book and anyone who says otherwise is just a waste of space.

[beekae]

Well said that man.

[diablos]

A charlatan and fraud and a loser to boot..

[toto67]

the man has shown courage to lookafter his wife any man who does that is a hero in my book and anyone who says otherwise is just a waste of space.

Couldnt have put it better myself m8...Good post

[beekae]

A charlatan and fraud and a loser to boot..

Being an undignified clown,when the discussion is about a woman fighting cancer is disgusting.
Now that your constant thread starting with photos has worn off,give it a break.

[diablos]

Being an undignified clown,when the discussion is about a woman fighting cancer is disgusting.
Now that your constant thread starting with photos has worn off,give it a break.

Ive never mentioned her problems, as a manager of seltic he is fair game..

[rosebery]

celtic dosent come into it wether he was a bus driver or shop assistent its all the same,what hes doing is bigger than football

[Sir Crapalot]

the man has shown courage to lookafter his wife any man who does that is a hero in my book and anyone who says otherwise is just a waste of space.

At last a sensible post:thumbs

[toto67]

At last a sensible post:thumbs

I hope that wasnt meant to be it there I know you like trowling through old posts ,so have a read up on mines...You maybe pick up a thing or two