🚨 CELTIC CONTRACT BOMBSHELL: “I DON’T THINK CELTIC WANT TO PAY HIM” — MARTIN O’NEILL THEORY EMERGES

Charlie Mulgrew Claims Martin O’Neill Is In Celtic Contract Standoff As £1m Payoff Theory Emerges

 

Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew believes Martin O’Neill is caught in a “standoff” with the club over his future, suggesting the Hoops boss could be owed close to £1 million if Celtic decide to part ways with him.

 

O’Neill admitted he would use the international break to consider his position after Celtic’s 1-0 Premiership defeat to Rangers, which completed a difficult run of three consecutive losses.

 

The defeat followed a 3-0 Rangers victory in the Premier Sports Cup and a 3-1 home loss to Ferencvaros in Celtic’s Europa League opener.

 

Despite the poor run, Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson has publicly backed O’Neill. However, the 74-year-old manager has yet to confirm whether he intends to remain in charge.

 

Mulgrew believes O’Neill may have preferred to leave Celtic after leading the club to a domestic double last season. However, he feels the new contract handed to O’Neill over the summer was effectively his reward for stabilising the club.

 

Speaking on The Breakdown podcast, Mulgrew said:

 

«“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 £1 million he is owed, I would imagine.»

 

«“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 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 back that contract and that money regardless of what age you are?”»

 

Mulgrew’s comments suggest the financial implications of O’Neill’s contract could become a major factor in Celtic’s decision-making should the club consider a change in the dugout.