Paul Lambert Comments on Martin O'Neill's Future at Celtic

Paul Lambert says he would not be surprised if Martin O'Neill chose to walk away from Celtic – but he would be “shocked and disappointed” if the club hierarchy forced him out.

O'Neill, 74, has been left reeling by a grim run: back-to-back Old Firm defeats to Rangers wrapped around a home loss to Ferencvaros in the Europa League, all on top of a Champions League collapse against LASK in August, when Celtic somehow surrendered a 4-0 aggregate lead.

The manager has already signalled he will use the international break to assess his position and the team’s direction.

“I will reflect on the games,” said O'Neill, who was appointed permanent manager for a second spell in the summer after two stints as interim boss last season ended with a league and Scottish Cup double.

The Irishman’s standing at Celtic is long established. Between 2000 and 2005 he collected seven major trophies, with Lambert a key figure in his midfield. That history shapes Lambert’s view now.

“O'Neill is Celtic’s best manager since the great Jock Stein,” the former captain insisted, before delivering a blunt assessment of the current turmoil. “It wouldn't surprise me if he left. I don't think he needs it.”

O'Neill has not tried to dodge the criticism.

“I’m not immune from criticism. Absolutely and utterly far from it,” he said. “I think there's every reason to ask ‘can you turn this round? Can you change the whole thing?’ I have to kind of look at the bigger picture at this minute.”

Lambert believes that bigger picture still heavily favours the man in the dugout.

“I'd be shocked and disappointed if Celtic sacked him,” he said. “I think they give him the option, if that's what's on his mind, if he did want to walk away.

“He's got enough credit in the bank. It wasn't that long ago people were shouting for a statue for him, so I don't think you can go from one extreme to the other.

“If he wants to go, then he goes himself.”