“I’m hoping that there’ll be some sort of reconciliation,” Martin O’Neill

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The Celtic Star

·03 de fevereiro de 2026

“I’m hoping that there’ll be some sort of reconciliation,” Martin O’Neill

Martin O’Neill popped up on talkSport today to chat to Jim White and Simon Jordan about the current situation at Celtic…

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill is seen during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park on February 01, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Jordan was keen to press Martin on whether he’d be interested in the Celtic job on a permanent basis in the summer if he chases Hearts down to win the league this season.

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White wanted to talk to the interim Celtic boss, a regular on talkSport when he’s not answering SOS (save our season) calls for Dermot Desmond, what his thoughts were on the ongoing ‘Sack the Board’ protests at the club and whether he had any plans to do something about it.

‘Banish The Traitors – End the Bans banner in the crowd at Celtic Park. Celtic v Falkirk, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 01 February 2026. Photo Mark Runnacles IMAGO / Shutterstock

White started with the closure of the January transfer window with Martin sidestepping whether the three deadline day signs were his choice before praising the board for their resolve to retain Arne Engels despite three bids reaching £25m from Nottingham Forest for the Belgian midfielder

Jim White wanted to know if Martin O’Neill had a say in he decision to knock-back a £25m bid for the player.

Arne Engels of Celtic. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Martin gave him this answer: “No, the board turned it down. Obviously, it’s arrived very, very late in the day and we had these offers coming in.

“I actually did a press conference just after our game against Falkirk, unaware that there’d been an offer gone in. I think that the press seemed to get to know about them before the club did.

“But anyway, that’s beside the point. It was very late in proceedings and the board turned them down. Considering the amounts of money that you’re talking about, because that would be very, very big up here, that was remarkable.”

Sack The Board banner at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

On the supporter unrest at Celtic, MartinO’Neill said: “I’m hoping that there’ll be some sort of reconciliation between everyone. I think that is absolutely necessary at the football club.

“For us to go forward now, to get ourselves going, we qualified at least for another two games into the knockout stages of the Europa League. The atmosphere against Utrecht was really, really good, but we can do with a reconciliation, no question about that.”

White returned to this subject later in the conversation, asking how far apart the board and fans are.

01.02.2026 Celtic v Falkirk, Scottish Premiership. Celtic Finance Director Chris McKay speaks to fans outside Celtic Park Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO

As is often the way Martin replied jokingly: “Again, it’s a good question. I think you think I’ve just come up here and feel as if I’m some mediator that’s going to try and sort a few things out.

“I’m up here to try and win a couple of football matches. If there’s a bit of shenanigans going on in the background, I can’t do anything about that at this minute. But seriously, when I get an opportunity, I shall try and join the Peace Corps sometime and try and work it out from there.”

Watch the interview below…

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order