Celtic chief backs O’Neill

CELTIC chief executive Ian McLeod yesterday insisted manager Martin O’Neill was neither difficult nor evasive to deal with.

Those are the perceptions held by some of the Celtic boss, whose current contract runs out at the end of the season.

O’Neill has yet to commit himself to a new Parkhead deal despite constantly claiming talks are imminent. Now Hoops fans are becoming increasingly worried that the saga has not reached a conclusion one way or another.

First O’Neill had indicated he wanted to get a UEFA Cup tie with Blackburn out of the way before sitting down to thrash out a deal with the board. Then it was an Old Firm game, then a UEFA Cup clash with Celta Vigo and now the winter break.

Now the latter has arrived and O’Neill, who takes his team to Florida next weekend, indicated that a long-awaited development could finally be on the horizon.

He said: “I would say in the next few weeks, if it is possible. We talked last week about strengthening the side in terms of loans.”

McLeod told The Press Association: “Discussions are ongoing and amicable. We will continue with that dialogue and hopefully, we will have something more concrete to say by the end of the month.

“You have to do things at a pace that suits all parties and not simply bow to media pressure. That’s what we are trying to do and we are keeping it confidential. I talk to Martin on a regular basis. Our relationship is a very good one and it is a very informal one in that respect.

"You evolve a relationship with an individual by recognising what elements of his character you can play in a positive way and recognise that individuals are individuals. I don’t regard him as difficult in any way at all and I don’t think this has gone on for too long. What you have to do in any discussions is make sure you take them at a pace you believe is appropriate and that is what I believe is happening.

“Martin is happy with the pace and we are. We have a manager at the moment, we are delighted with that manager and we just want that to continue. That is our focus.”

Celtic and Rangers yesterday unveiled a new £12 million joint sponsorship deal with beer brand Carling that will replace the current arrangement with ailing communications company ntl in July.