TheCeltic manager Martin O'Neill yesterday gave a strong of indication that he is ready to extend his contract with the Glasgow club, but would not confirm for how long.
O'Neill has only a year left on his current deal and has been stalling on signing a new one, amid fears among Celtic fans that he would leave the Scottish champions for Manchester United at the end of the season with Alex Ferguson moving upstairs.
Ferguson has given no indication that this year will be his last, however, and O'Neill feels at liberty to bide his time with Celtic until the situation in Manchester becomes clearer.
"I will make a decision about my future very, very shortly," said O'Neill.
"I wanted to concentrate on the Champions League, but now that's gone I will definitely be sitting down very shortly with the board.
"I'm sure the directors will summon me for a board meeting and I am very happy to do so. I'll be sitting down with them and I'm sure things will go fairly amicably and favourably.
"But I would say that something will happen in days rather than weeks and certainly weeks rather than months."
Celtic's failure to reach the Champions League after a qualifying round defeat against Swiss side FC Basle has lowered O'Neill's stock.
However, he still has an impeccable record of two Scottish Premier League titles, the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup since his arrival in July 2000.
Transfer funds are in short supply following that disappointment, but he said this would have no bearing on his plans.
"These are disappointing days after the Champions League exit," added O'Neill, "but we will come back fighting and come back strongly.
"It doesn't matter about the size of this club because football in general is suffering at the moment. But in terms of this club I will adhere to whatever budget I get."
O'Neill could sign a two-year extension and still join United when Ferguson eventually retires, using that time to prove his abilities in European competition.
The Celtic chairman Brian Quinn, who announced the club had made a £5.37 million (€8.54 million) profit last season, is confident O'Neill will sign soon.
"We are very hopeful," he said. "We think he likes it here and we think he enjoys the environment. We are determined to keep Martin at Celtic."
Celtic's profit of over £5 million is significantly up on the £0.87 million profit it recorded the previous year.
The club also disclosed turnover had increased to £56.89 million with increases in all major revenue streams. The club spent £14.62 million on players throughout that year.
"The evidence is there to see that the club are making progress," Quinn said.
"We are pleased with the results, but we are not complacent. We know it is hard to repeat those type of results.
"We will work as hard as we can to gain stability in the club and not return to the days when people were talking about a crisis at Celtic Park. We want to avoid those days again."
The good financial news for Celtic comes just days after Rangers announced record trading losses of £19.1 million and operating losses of £31.9 million.
Guardian Service
