O’Neill tops and in the money

CELTIC manager Martin O’Neill was named Scotland’s top manager yesterday, He will collect the Scottish Football Writers’ Manager of the Year Award at their 40th anniversary dinner on Sunday.

It will be a double celebration for Celtic as Jackie McNamara will collect the SFWA Player of the Year trophy.

O'Neill also yesterday accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages over a newspaper allegation which stated he was joining Liverpool.

His solicitor, Paul Hackney, told Mr Justice Eady at London's High Court that the article in The Daily Record, in February last year, questioned O'Neill's loyalty and commitment to Celtic, and his integrity.

The piece followed publication, in January 2003, of Mr O'Neill's express denial that he would be leaving Celtic and of his agreement to a new contract with his employers.

It stated he had signed a legal document to join Liverpool and alleged the agreement with the Merseyside club was concluded before Mr O'Neill announced the agreement of his new contract with Celtic.

Hackney said the allegations, which caused O'Neill to issue further denials in the media, had caused him great distress and anxiety.

Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd agreed to pay him substantial damages and his legal costs.

The newspapers' solicitor, Patrick Swaffer, confirmed they accepted the allegations were without foundation and offered their sincere apologies.

O'Neill conceded yesterday that there was no way Henrik Larsson would do an international-style u-turn at Celtic.

The prolific striker announced his return to the Swedish national side ahead of Euro 2004.

But while that did not come as a surprise to his club boss, O'Neill simply cannot envisage another change of heart.

"Returning for the European Championships was Henrik's decision entirely but I must say I wasn't overly surprised when I heard about it. It's a great competition, the best international tournament after the World Cup as far as I'm concerned, and there are very few players who wouldn't want to be involved," he said.

"As to whether it's given us any hope I'd have to say it doesn't. But we wish Henrik the best of luck nonetheless."

O'Neill has praised Football Writers' Player of the Year Jackie McNamara for the way he has turned around his Parkhead career with outstanding performances anywhere in the side.

"I think he's played in about seven different positions too and excelled in them all."