O'Neill expects to strike deal

CELTIC manager Martin O'Neill expects his on-going contract situation to be resolved

With his present deal due to expire at the end of the season, concern among the supporters has intensified with the board's failure to get him to sign new terms.

But with a winter break in Florida rapidly approaching after today's trip to Aberdeen, the Celtic boss admits it is as good a time as any to talk with them.

"I would say that the situation will be clarified," admitted O'Neill. "Believe it or not, we have genuinely not had the chance to do so.

"But I think now there would be more than an opportunity over the winter break. We are into the second half of the season soon and I'm sure it's as good a time as any.

"The last time I spoke to (director) Dermot Desmond was a couple of weeks ago and he was hinting then we should get together and he thought the winter break was as good a time as any.

"So I would just go along with that. It could be anywhere. It gives the board an opportunity without worrying about the Saturday match coming up.

"It is a three-week break so by the time we come back again I should have spoken to the board."

O'Neill has also revealed that he will be looking to revive contract talks with influential midfielder Stilian Petrov in January after negotiations recently broke down.

"I've not given up hope of resolving that," added the Celtic boss.

"Stilian deserves a new contract and has done exceptionally well for it.

"It is my intention to try and resurrect that. I didn't think we were too far apart and I haven't spoken directly to his agent recently with the games coming up."

It is set to be a busy January for the Northern Irishman, but he has ruled out the prospect of making any permanent signings during the transfer window.

His side face another gruelling schedule when the season restarts, but although cash is tight, he will look at the possibility of bringing in a new player on loan.

O'Neill admitted: "I would certainly rule out the buying of players, but the money we have got in from the UEFA ties and potential of the German tie with Stuttgart would make the possibility of getting a loan signing and I will look at that and see.

"But I won't be the only manager up and down the country looking at the same thing.

"What generally happens is that the minute you think somebody's back after a long time out, like Johan Mjallby, then somebody else gets injured.

"But after January you have no way back and if you were lucky enough to progress another round in the UEFA and stay in all four competitions then, at this minute, if you hadn't done anything in January, then it's sod's law that you would get injuries.

"You would be left short not only for European matches, but potentially for the domestic season, which is very important, but the buying of players would be ruled out.

"I couldn't tell you at this stage how likely it is to get somebody in on loan, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I wasn't trying to do something like that."