O'Neill's long-term future is still in doubt

Just three little words. A simple sentence tagged on to the end of what all Celtic supporters wanted to hear.

I Love You? Cash on Delivery? Cheque in post?

Not in this instance.

No, the words “with immediate effect” underpin Hoops manager Martin O’Neill’s new deal with the club.

Nobody would want to ruin the celebrations which will undoubtedly take place among Parkhead fans after the man who has lead them to two successive Premier League titles committed himself further to the club.

But “with immediate effect” has an underlying tone which could soon flatten the party spirit.

O’Neill’s new rolling deal begins today but still leaves uncertainty cloying at the air around the east end of Glasgow.

Manchester United, Leeds United, Liverpool and many other major players in the Barclaycard Premiership will have taken note of the phrase.

The Bhoys boss has become target number one most especially for Elland Road chairman Peter Ridsdale, who has courted the ex-Leicester boss for the last four years.

O’Neill steadfastly refused to consummate that coquettish behaviour during his time at Filbert Street.

Indeed, the man believed to be waiting in the wings for O’Neill to depart Parkhead – David O’Leary – took over instead and took the club to unprecedented heights before his ignominious exit.

For now, everyone involved in Celtic will be delighted at today’s events but perhaps the release from the tension for so long hanging around Parkhead has lightened the head and the heart.

Again, nobody would want to poop this particular party but the balloon can go up constantly throughout the next 12 months without the safeguard of a lengthy deal.

If Rangers boss Alex McLeish continues the Ibrox resurgence, if the Parkhead board do not offer the finances required to further success or if an offer too strong to resist comes in, who is to stop O’Neill following the M74 back south?

He is an ambitious man – who wouldn’t be when you are at the top of your game - and even the phone-ins from Celtic painted a dark picture for the fans.

Celtic Supporters Association general secretary Eddie Toner is right in that O’Neill is “an honourable man” with loyalty integral to his curriculum vitae.

But surely a rolling contract – and, more importantly, one “with immediate effect” – offers no more stability than was previously in evidence.

There are a further three little words which could break hearts in the east end.

Premiership club calling?