Celtic name Martin O'Neill as permanent manager after double-winning interim reign

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/o-neill-martin/82l54I96/"]O'Neill[/a] agreed a one-year contract with the option of a further year's extension.[/p][p]He spent two spells in temporary charge of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/celtic/QFKRRD8M/"]Celtic[/a] during a chaotic campaign that ended in spectacular fashion.[/p][p][b]"It is once again a great privilege for me to continue as Celtic manager,"[/b] O'Neill said Thursday.[/p][p][b]"Last season will live long in all our memories and to be part of that success has in a big way whetted the appetite to work again for more days like those and bring our supporters those moments."[/b][/p][p]O'Neill, who had already enjoyed a successful stint at the Glasgow club from 2000-2005, first returned to Celtic Park in October after Brendan Rodgers's exit.[/p][p]Despite winning all eight of his domestic matches, O'Neill left when Wilfried Nancy was hired on a full-time basis.[/p][p]However, Nancy was quickly axed following a miserable run and O'Neill returned in January.[/p][embed guid="81e1d5fc-ba98-4566-940b-f99ff4ea93b8" url="https://x.com/CelticFC/status/2065027765208822243" social-type="twitter" /][p]O'Neill inspired a remarkable title-winning campaign as Celtic pipped [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/hearts/0rGrwwNc/"]Hearts[/a] on the final day of the season with a dramatic win against the Edinburgh club.[/p][p]Hearts, chasing a first title since 1960, led the way for much of the season but Celtic benefitted from a hugely controversial penalty to beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/motherwell/YuW7ZfMM/"]Motherwell[/a] in their penultimate game.[/p][p]O'Neill's men came back from a goal down to beat Hearts in Glasgow in a last-day showdown, securing the club's fifth successive title.[/p][p]Seven days later, O'Neill secured his ninth trophy as Celtic manager when the Hoops beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/dunfermline/Eg3xY5eg/"]Dunfermline[/a] 3-1 in the Scottish Cup final.[/p][p]Former Celtic striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/keane-robbie/bsLRcvV7/"]Robbie Keane[/a] had been linked with the job in recent weeks.[/p][p]But pro-Palestinian Celtic fans opposed that potential move due to Keane's spell in charge of Israeli club [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/maccabi-tel-aviv/req5XE5Q/"]Maccabi Tel Aviv[/a].[/p][p]Urging Celtic to build on last season's double, O'Neill said: [b]"Celtic can never rest on past success so we are aiming to drive forward together as we aim to deliver again for the club and our fans.[/b][/p][p][b]"I thank our fans for their ongoing support, it means everything. I look forward to being back at Celtic Park, when we will come together and strive to bring our fans the success which that support deserves."[/b][/p][embed guid="eb7d6b22-e809-486c-804e-8e1184fda7c3" url="https://x.com/CelticFC/status/2065029706211053855" social-type="twitter" /][p]Celtic's principal shareholder Dermot Desmond vowed the club will back O'Neill's vision in the transfer market.[/p][p]The Celtic hierarchy has endured criticism from fans over their failure to spend big money on signings in the past.[/p][p][b]"Time and time again Martin has shown his qualities,"[/b] Desmond said.[/p][p][b]"We know he is a winner, we know what the club means to him and he continues to be the outstanding candidate.[/b][/p][p][b]"He knows the demands at Celtic and I know how determined he is again to bring success to the club and our supporters.[/b][/p][p][b]"The club will support Martin fully again across the close season to make sure we are well prepared to achieve domestic success and compete on the European stage."[/b][/p]