{"id":312534,"date":"2025-11-28T15:58:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T15:58:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/312534\/"},"modified":"2025-11-28T15:58:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T15:58:14","slug":"martin-oneill-tipped-to-replace-peter-lawwell-as-celtic-chairman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/312534\/","title":{"rendered":"Martin O\u2019Neill Tipped To Replace Peter Lawwell As Celtic Chairman"},"content":{"rendered":"

Journalist Keith Jackson believes Martin O\u2019Neill\u2019s remarkable impact as Celtic<\/a> interim manager may extend far beyond his short spell in the dugout.<\/p>\n

Jackson suggested Celtic would be taking a major risk if they allowed O\u2019Neill to walk away completely once Wilfried Nancy is appointed next week.<\/a><\/p>\n

With Peter Lawwell\u2019s position under intense scrutiny following the chaotic AGM, Jackson revealed he has heard growing rumours that O\u2019Neill could return to Celtic in a senior boardroom role, including, potentially, as director of football or even as chairman.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Neill has quickly restored structure and belief to a squad that had lost its way, delivering five wins from six and a historic Europa League victory over Feyenoord. His short tenure has not only steadied the season but transformed the atmosphere around the club.<\/p>\n

For many supporters, his presence has brought a sense of reassurance and leadership that has been lacking at board level for some time. Jackson\u2019s view is that Celtic would be wasting a major asset if O\u2019Neill were simply allowed to exit quietly once Nancy takes over.<\/p>\n

Calls from sections of the support for O\u2019Neill to remain in a senior long-term role have grown louder in recent days. Many feel the club needs experienced football figures embedded at decision-making level, not just in the dugout.<\/p>\n

Jackson\u2019s comments feed directly into that discussion, suggesting that the rumours he has heard point towards the possibility of O\u2019Neill stepping into a strategic position such as director of football, a role some fans believe is overdue at Celtic Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Against the backdrop of boardroom unrest and supporter anger, Jackson argued that O\u2019Neill\u2019s experience, personality and understanding of the club\u2019s demands make him a compelling candidate to guide Celtic through the next phase.<\/p>\n

With Nancy about to begin his tenure and Lawwell facing calls to step aside, the journalist believes Celtic may already be considering a wider restructuring of their football operations.<\/p>\n

He said: (Hotline Live<\/a>), \u201cI can\u2019t see Martin O\u2019Neill just riding off into the sunset, as you said there. I think there\u2019s something in this for him. I think he\u2019s rediscovered his passion, if it ever went away. I think he\u2019s where he wants to be.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there should be a role, and very possibly will be a role, for Martin O\u2019Neill, whether it\u2019s director of football or something, as I said, bigger and better.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t surprise me. I\u2019ve heard rumours about him potentially taking over as chairman at some point.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there\u2019s something in it for him. I mean, I think it would actually be a bit of a waste for Celtic to let him just walk away now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jackson\u2019s comments go right to the centre of the debate about Celtic\u2019s leadership. With Lawwell under huge pressure and trust in the board badly damaged, more supporters are beginning to warm to the idea of O\u2019Neill taking on a senior role behind the scenes.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to see why, he\u2019s a respected figure who knows the club inside out and has already shown how quickly he can lift the mood around the place.<\/p>\n

Whether Celtic actually make that kind of change is still unclear, but Jackson\u2019s point reflects a growing feeling that O\u2019Neill shouldn\u2019t simply hand the reins to Nancy and then disappear.<\/a> His return has reminded people of the value of having strong football voices involved at the top of the club.<\/p>\n

\"\"Soccer Football \u2013 Scottish League Cup \u2013 Semi Final \u2013 Celtic v Rangers \u2013 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain \u2013 November 2, 2025 Celtic interim manager Martin O\u2019Neill celebrates their third goal scored by Celtic\u2019s Callum Osmand Action Images via Reuters\/Lee Smith<\/p>\n

With Nancy expected to arrive next week, the conversation around O\u2019Neill\u2019s long-term future will only increase.<\/p>\n

And if the whispers Jackson has heard turn out to be true, Celtic could be heading for real change behind the scenes, with O\u2019Neill playing a major part in shaping what comes next.<\/p>\n


\n \"Tees
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