Martin O’Neill responds to BBC man’s ’tired looking’ claim | OneFootball

Martin O’Neill has responded to claims by Beeb pundit and overall annoying hack Tom English’s claim that he looked ‘tired’ after Thursday’s Europa League home defeat by Ferencvaros.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Celtic FC and Ferencvarosi TC at Celtic Park on September 17, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

After the match, English said live on Radio Scotland that O’Neill seemed ‘tired’ in his post-match press conference.

To be fair to the veteran Irishman, he may well have been as many of us were both sick and tired in the aftermath, due to sitting through the dross that was served up by Celtic late on a Thursday evening.

Martin was asked about the Beeb man’s claim during yesterday’s pre Glasgow Derby media briefing and answered the hack’s question in the usual direct style you’d expect.

“I’ve never met him [Tom English] in my life,” O’Neill said.

“This is my view, when you lose a game the first thing you’d think is that the manager is 74 years of age.

Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic looks on before during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Celtic FC and Ferencvarosi TC at Celtic Park on September 17, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“It doesn’t matter whether he’s tired or not tired. I’ve got enthusiasm.

“Yeah, I had an illness there recently so that definitely knocks you back a little bit.

“But no, I’m definitely not going to be here forever. In many ways, I shouldn’t really be here.

“You do get knocked when you lose football matches, it hurts me as much now at 74 as it did when I started managing. Perhaps maybe even more now.

“All the victories we had last season against our big rivals, they disappear.

“But I’ve lived with that for some time. And it doesn’t mean that I’m not exempt from criticism. I’ve never felt I ever have been.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill and assistant Shaun Maloney during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Celtic FC and Ferencvarosi TC at Celtic Park on September 17, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“If Tom did say ‘You’re tired’, that’s his opinion. I’m 74, I need to know whether I’ve got the same energy as I used to have. That’s something probably only I can answer. That’s the point.

“But Celtic will be looking, soon enough, for someone to replace me.”

Martin will certainly be up for the fight this afternoon as Celtic take on the Rangers this lunchtime at Paradise looking to create an eight point advantage over the latest Ibrox club and avenge last weekend defeat at Ibrox.

From Tom English to Pat Nevin, the BBC really are a despicable bunch when it comes to their coverage of Celtic.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy