O'Neill signs new Celtic contract

Martin O'Neill has brought to an end speculation about his immediate future at Celtic by signing a 12-month rolling contract.

Martin O'Neill has brought to an end speculation about his immediate future at Celtic by signing a 12-month rolling contract.

The Parkhead boss has been keeping his cards close to his chest after side-stepping the team's week-long training session in Florida in favour of further negotiations with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond in Barbados last week.

Speculation had mounted that former Leicester manager O'Neill would quit the club at the end of his contract in the summer, but his new deal should quell supporters' concerns.

Leeds United and Liverpool have both been linked with O'Neill but he has revealed the desire for another taste of the Champions League next season.

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"I am delighted with this agreement," said O'Neill.

"With so much to look forward to this season both domestically and in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, I am hoping that the winter break has renewed everyone's appetite for the challenges ahead.

"On the wider front, naturally having experienced Champions League football last season, this is something we would very much like to be involved in again and this will be high on our agenda for next season."

Celtic chief executive Ian McLeod also admitted the new rolling one-year deal had come as a relief to the boardroom who had feared losing O'Neill after two years of unbridled success.

McLeod said: "The board of Celtic Football Club are extremely pleased that Martin has agreed to this new contract and that the speculation surrounding his future at the club has been brought to such a positive conclusion.

"We are now looking forward to continuing our recent successes on the field as we maintain our challenge both at home and in Europe with Martin at the helm."