Interim boss Martin O'Neill 'delighted' he answered call to return to Celtic

Martin O’Neill says he is “delighted” that he answered a call from Dermot Desmond that secured his return to Celtic as he prepares for his last game as interim-boss.

The 73-year-old, who first managed the Hoops between 2000 and 2005, returned in a caretaker role following Brendan Rodgers’ departure in October, with a fear of failing the club being his biggest concern.

In those five weeks, he has helped change the trajectory of Celtic’s season by winning six games from seven, including reaching the League Cup final, cutting the gap at the top of the table to two points, and guiding the team to their first European away win in four years with a result that keeps their Europa League dreams alive.

And as he turns his attention to Dundee, in what will be his final match in the dugout before making way for incoming manager Wilfried Nancy, O’Neill says he has enjoyed rolling back the years.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, he said: “I am obviously delighted (to have answered the call from Desmond), as I said on Sunday, it was the fear of failing that was by biggest concern, but if you don’t take the opportunity it will never be presented to you again.

“The chance to come back here and manage this club over 20 years since I left, was remarkable really.

“So I am delighted that he asked me back, and up until today, delighted with the outcome.”

O’Neill again confirmed that Wednesday would be his last time in the dugout, but says he will be open to offering his opinion to the incoming manager.

He said: “This is definitely it, after tomorrow evening, I have been assured of that by the board.

“So the new man will come in, I am not entirely sure about the process of that, but this will definitely be my last game.

“That was always the remit, whether I was going to last two weeks or five or six weeks, so that was always the case and I have no complaints at all.

“Another gentleman is coming in, and it will be over to him, but we have a big game here tomorrow evening first, and obviously we’d like to win it if we can; it won’t be easy. Dundee beat us a couple of weeks ago, so we have a bit of a job on our hands.

“I would have no objection to him (the next manager) coming in and asking my opinion, it will only be my opinion, it wouldn’t be advice.

“If he chooses to ask, then of course I would have no problem with it, but I certainly wouldn’t be putting any demands on him.

“He has a job on now, so he will be focusing on himself and his own staff, and his own personality and manner of coaching, so he won’t need my help in that sense.”