This is mostly due to the non appearance of the Celtic boss at the team's winter training camp in Florida. In my opinion, Martin's whereabouts should not matter to the press, who have completley blown the story out of proportion. The tabloids had a field day when John Hartson was reported claiming he didn't know where O'Neill was, which prompted a panic in the press. But what they failed to report was, Big Bad John also said that the players didn't usually see Martin at training anyway, Stevie Walford and John Robertson took the sessions. So why the panic? Yet another boring and irrelevant story.
Martin O'Neill has been at major shareholder Dermott Desmond's luxury villa in Barbados, enjoying a break from work, as well as discussing contract talks. The last thing he would have been wanting would be to be pictured in the newspapers in Desmond's swimming pool - can't the newspapers have a rest for a couple of weeks? Anyway, the contract fiasco is raging on, and apparently we will hear a verdict on Tuesday. If he decides to leave, then he shall leave with the Best Wishes of all Celtic supporters. However, if he decides to stay, then I think he should be looking to sign a long-term deal (maybe 7 or 8 years). Martin O'Neill is alot smarter than alot of people think, and I believe he will stay at Celtic, all the talking is about Martin making sure he gets things his way. This would include the signing of a couple of high profile players, as well as a new training complex being built in the near future.
On the park, Celtic face Feyenoord in a friendly on Wednesday. The game has been marketed as a 'Lisbon Lions Tribute Match' with all proceeds going to the Lisbon Lions themselves. Tickets are priced £15 for adults and £7 for concessions - which is a bit steep, considering how much we pay for other games. Celtic fans will be dissapointed that former favourite Pierre Van Hooijdonk will not be in the team to face the Bhoys due to a long term injury.
The news from the dark side is that Rangers drew 1-1 with German relagation candidates Energie Cottbus, Rangers' only goal of the game coming from, (yes, you guessed it), a dodgy stoppage time penalty!
Let's hope the players are feeling refreshed and ready for the long schedule ahead, and let's get behind the team on Wednesday for the heroes of Lisbon 1967!
Hail Hail!