MARTIN O'NEILL SAYS HE WILL CONTINUE AS CELTIC MANAGER

Martin O'Neill has said he intends to continue as Celtic manager, telling a club interview he is "back" and "raring to go" after what he described as a "time of reflection" during the international break. The Northern Irishman had suggested "it might be time to wrap it up" in reference to his managerial career following a difficult run of results last month. He said the team had been through "a difficult week" but that this was "certainly not the end of the world". O'Neill added: "I want to lead the club, I want to try to win the league and I'm just as determined now than ever before."

O'Neill signed a one-year deal to stay at Parkhead after two interim spells last season ended in a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double, according to one report. His future came into question after two defeats by Rangers in Old Firm fixtures, either side of a 3-1 home defeat by Ferencvaros in the Europa League. Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson responded by publicly backing O'Neill amid the speculation. One report said the home defeat by Rangers had cut Celtic's lead in the Scottish Premiership title race to two points.

O'Neill's comments came roughly two weeks after Nicholson's statement of support, with the manager now saying he is "extremely prepared" to continue in the role. One report said Celtic are due to face Motherwell at Fir Park once the international break ends, in what would be O'Neill's first match back in charge since confirming his decision. He said the setbacks of recent weeks were not unusual, noting: "You can lose to your arch-rivals, you can lose the European game."