Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is in the midst of a "standoff" with the club over his future amid rising pressure, according to former Parkhead star Charlie Mulgrew, who believes the 74-year-old could be due around £1million if his contract was ripped up.
O'Neill confessed he will consider his future during the international break following defeat to Rangers in the Premiership — the club's third defeat in a week, having also been thumped by their rivals in the Premier Sports Cup before opening their Europa League campaign with a home defeat to Ferencvaros.
Mulgrew's payout claim
Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson has since offered his support to O'Neill as fans wait for the boss to break his silence. Mulgrew reckons the veteran gaffer would have liked to leave the club after winning a double last season, but the one-year contract with the option of a further year was his "reward" for steadying the ship.
Mulgrew told The Breakdown podcast: "A lot of Celtic fans that I am meeting are saying that Martin O'Neill should have just rode off into the sunset after Celtic won the double. My take on that is, that's fair enough, but my opinion is Martin O'Neill would have liked to have done that - like we all would - but his reward would have been a contract. A two year contract, worth X amount."
"If he just walks away and says 'thanks', I don't think he is getting a penny - or he is getting very little - compared to what he is due now. If they got rid of him now it would be close to £1million he is owed, I would imagine."
'Standoff' explained
Mulgrew added: "I think the standoff now is Martin O'Neill still thinks he can do the job, and I don't think Martin O'Neill is leaving with no money. I don't think Celtic want to pay him. Things aren't a disaster right now, he has only lost three games - three big games, and that is a disaster at Celtic sometimes - but if you actually take a step back he is still top of the league."
"There is a still a lot that can be done this season. If there is one man that can do it. So my point is, I think he would have liked to have done that [left in the summer], but how do you know back that contract and that money regardless of what age you are?"
Keane speculation
After making an appearance in the Celtic Park stands during the 1-0 defeat to Rangers, speculation has ramped up that Roy Keane could succeed his former Ireland and Nottingham Forest ally in the dug-out. The Ireland hero has been out of management for 15 years since leaving Ipswich Town, where he spent two years in charge after success in his first job as boss of Sunderland.
But Asmir Begovic — who worked under Keane at Ipswich — reckons Keane would be a success if he returned to the game from his punditry duties. Begovic told Hajper: "You want to see someone like Roy Keane back in the game, inspiring the next generation and sharing their knowledge. I absolutely loved working with him and will always be grateful, he gave me the chance to play for Ipswich, which really helped propel me into the Premier League."
"It is a shame it came to an early end as I would have loved to work with him longer, but Portsmouth called me back and the rest is history."
"He was fantastic, his sessions and his demands were things I really thrived on. Top managers with his level of achievement instantly command respect from the players. I am surprised and it is a shame he is not currently involved in coaching."
"He seems to be doing well in punditry and enjoying that life, but if he ever fancies coaching again, the players will be grateful to have him back in the game and on the sidelines."
