CELTIC interim boss Martin O’Neill says he’s not in the slightest bit worried about “tarnishing” his legacy at the club.
The 73-year-old has returned for a second stint at the Hoops while club chiefs look to appoint a successor to Brendan Rodgers.
O’Neill wrote himself into Hoops history more than 20 years ago when he guided Celtic to a historic treble and a Uefa Cup final.
This time, it’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for O’Neill after victories over Falkirk in the league and Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
But after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Midtjylland in the Europa League, he was warned about “tarnishing his legacy” by ex-Hoops player Chris Sutton.
Speaking ahead of facing Kilmarnock at home, in what could be his final game in charge of Celtic, O’Neill insisted he wasn’t worried.
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O’Neill said: “I’ve honestly no concern about a legacy, never have had.
“If you’re talking about legacy, then you can talk a bit about Jock Stein and that great 1967 side.
“It genuinely wouldn’t worry me one jot, it never has done – when you’re dead, you’re dead.
“On a really serious note, if Sunday is my last game that is absolutely fine with me.”
Celtic will look to close the gap to Hearts at the Premiership summit when Killie are the visitors on Sunday.
The Hoops are nine points behind and will not want to lose any further ground on the high-flying Jambos heading into the international break.
By that time, O’Neill reckons the Celtic board will have found somebody else to take the reins – with Bodo/Glimt’s Kjetil Knutsen the bookies favourite.
And then the 73-year-old will sit down and reflect on a “strange” fortnight.
He said: “I’ll go back to drinking coffee, which is rather expensive in London.
“That’s what I would do and think to myself did that really happen?
“I shouldn’t even be smiling after last night, and I’m not really, but yeah, it’s been really, really strange indeed.
“There have been moments I have actually enjoyed and moments when you don’t.
“Last night was a moment that you couldn’t possibly enjoy, it gives you a reality check like everything else.
“And some of the other surreal moments have been really nice, but that’s it.
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“But genuinely, if the board appoint someone on Monday that’s absolutely fine, it will have been a really strange fortnight.”
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