Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have hired Neil Lennon on an interim basis but need a full-time manager to replace Brendan Rodgers.
Michael O’Neill has indicated that he is only focusing on his job in charge of Northern Ireland despite Celtic beginning their search for a new full-time manager, while speaking to the Belfast Telegraph.
The Hoops bid farewell to Brendan Rodgers on Tuesday after the 47-year-old announced his intention to return to the Premier League with Leicester City.
Neil Lennon has since returned to Glasgow on an interim basis until the end of the season and enjoyed a winning return in midweek, Odsonne Edouard’s stoppage-time goal sealing a dramatic 2-1 win away at Hearts.
But, with Lennon only hired on a short-term contract, Celtic will be looking at alternative options as they weigh up Rodgers’ permanent successor.
Considering that O’Neill was linked with the post before Rodgers took over in 2016, as reported by the Scottish Sun, it would be no surprise if he was under consideration again.
But the former Shamrock Rovers boss has indicated that he has no interest in the Celtic job at this stage, having signed a contract until 2024 with the Northern Ireland national team a year ago.
“I’m under contract here, I’ve a job to do here,” O’Neill said when asked whether he would take up the reigns at Celtic.
“I was a little bit surprised at the timing of it (Rodgers’ exit). He obviously felt it was the right time to go back to the Premier League. Leicester’s a very attractive job, so I’m sure he’ll do an equally good job there.
“Neil was available, he knows Celtic, so I think it’s a good fit at this minute in time for them.”
O’Neill is the second man who has seemingly ruled himself out this week, with Steve Clarke telling the Daily Record that he will return to England when he leaves Kilmarnock.
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