Martin O’Neill has played down talk surrounding his future after being spotted scouting Celtic’s next opponents, St Mirren, alongside coaching assistant Mark Fotheringham.
With questions still swirling about whether O’Neill will remain in charge beyond the fortnight, his decision to do some early homework sent a strong message, that he’s fully focused on the job in front of him, regardless of what comes next. It was a typical move from the veteran boss, whose attention to detail has long been one of his trademarks.
O’Neill’s presence at the game sparked curiosity among fans, many wondering if it was a sign he expects to stay in charge. The manager, though, brushed that off, insisting it was simply part of his role and a reflection of his professional standards.
Speaking after the 4–0 win over Kilmarnock, O’Neill explained his reasoning for making the trip, praising his assistant while stressing that respect for every opponent is a core part of how he works.
He said: (TCW), “I genuinely don’t know.
“But if they make an announcement in, let’s say, in the next week or something about a new manager, I will take this fortnight, rather morbidly, to my grave.
“You never know, but it’s been fantastic.
“It’s my job. I wanted to go to the game because I think, the one thing I think I’ve always done here, I’ve had complete respect for opponents all the time and you never know.
“And so, I was off with Fozzy, the two of us went off, Fozzy being Mark Fotheringham, and he talked the whole way through it.
“He knows the football, he knows the stuff, I can’t believe how well he’s done in Germany and places like this here at Huddersfield.
“But no, that was all, I just wanted to see the game, and that is my job.”
O’Neill’s answer was simple and straight to the point. It showed that his professionalism is still there in full. Even with questions hanging over his future, he’s sticking to what he does best, studying opponents, getting his team ready, and taking every match seriously.
His comments also gave a small look into his working relationship with Mark Fotheringham. The two clearly get on well, and O’Neill’s praise for his assistant’s coaching background in Germany and England showed real respect and trust.
Soccer Football – Championship – Huddersfield Town v Luton Town – John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield, Britain – January 1, 2023 Huddersfield Town manager Mark Fotheringham Action Images/Ed Sykes
For Celtic fans, seeing O’Neill out watching St Mirren was a good sign. It showed he’s still switched on, still planning ahead, and still showing the same focus and commitment that made him such a success the first time around.
Nobody knows yet if he’ll still be in charge when that game comes around, but one thing’s obvious, O’Neill’s not coasting. He’s preparing like a man who’s fully in the job, and that says a lot about his character.
