O'Neill puts pen to paper on new deal

Martin O'Neill dampened speculation surrounding his future today by casually admitting he had signed his contract.

Martin O'Neill dampened speculation surrounding his future today by casually admitting he had signed his contract.

The saga reared its head again this week after it emerged he had not actually put his signature on the rolling one-year deal which he agreed with a handshake in January, although O'Neill today revealed he has put pen to paper.

"I have signed the documents," said O'Neill. "But it still won't prevent me from getting the bullet if the results don't go right.

"Brian Clough once said that the only thing that is inevitable in football is getting the boot.

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"It doesn't make a bit of difference to me, but I suppose it satisfies some people that it's done.

"I had a meeting in January and I suppose some would see it as bizarre and there's been plenty of talk about it in the last few days."

However, the Celtic manger left a question mark hanging over the future of Neil Lennon by revealing that he would wait until the end of the season before discussing the latest incident involving the midfielder.

The former Northern Ireland international was attacked in Glasgow's West End hours after helping the Hoops back to the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League with the win over Motherwell.

Lennon has been no stranger to controversy since signing for Celtic and O'Neill did not give the 31-year-old, who still has two years remaining on his contract, his unequivocal backing.

"I've not really had a chance to speak to him," insisted O'Neill. "I've not really made it my business.

"He is pretty upset about it and if you are asking what happens about his future? I would leave it down to the end of the season.

"I believe there were a few witnesses and it was an unprovoked attack and obviously that would cause great concern. It's happened very often hasn't it? But he's a pretty strong character."