Pleat could keep Spurs seat warm for O'Neill

TOTTENHAM could retain David Pleat as their manager for the rest of the season while they wait for Martin O'Neill to join them from Celtic at the end of the campaign.

The idea is gaining in appeal for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy who looks prepared to bide his time over the next long-term appointment following Glenn Hoddle's dismissal last week.

Spurs have had a dozen managers since they last won the league championship under Bill Nicholson 42 years ago and Levy knows he must recruit the right candidate next time. He clearly sees caretaker Pleat as a safe pair of hands in the meantime.