Boyd backs O'Neill to stay at Celtic amid slump and future doubt

Club ambassador Tom Boyd says he expects Martin O'Neill to remain Celtic manager and focus on fixing the team's poor run of results.

Tom Boyd says he has no reason to believe Martin O'Neill will step down as Celtic manager, despite the 74-year-old saying he would reflect on his future after Sunday's defeat to Rangers. The club ambassador expects that reflection to center on how to fix the team's problems rather than on leaving.

O'Neill admitted after the loss to Rangers that he would take time to consider whether he could turn things around. Celtic have lost twice to Rangers either side of a 3-1 Europa League defeat to Ferencvaros at Celtic Park. Boyd also believes the squad is still affected by the Champions League collapse against LASK, when Celtic surrendered a 4-0 aggregate lead in the second leg in Austria.

Boyd said the international break complicates matters because many Celtic players are away with their national teams, limiting time to work on the system. O'Neill has switched to a back three in search of a solution, but Boyd noted that with games every few days, recovery takes priority over tactical work.

Boyd said the performances since the LASK exit have been below standard and that the problem is not limited to the new signings. He named Mika Baur as the most impressive summer arrival so far, while saying Kasper Hogh is still finding his feet. Celtic are next scheduled to face Motherwell away before hosting Hearts.