Martin O'Neill's Future at Celtic: Paul Lambert Weighs In

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

O'Neill, 74, has come under fierce scrutiny after a bruising spell that has shaken Celtic’s early season. Back-to-back Old Firm defeats to Rangers have framed the crisis, either side of a damaging home loss to Ferencvaros in the Europa League. On top of that, there was the Champions League collapse against LASK in August, when a 4-0 aggregate lead was thrown away.

The Celtic manager has already signalled that the upcoming international break will be used to take stock.

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

O'Neill’s history at Celtic is heavy with silverware. Between 2000 and 2005 he lifted seven more trophies, with Lambert a key figure in his midfield during that era. That past success is exactly why Lambert believes the current noise around his old boss must be handled with care.

“O'Neill is Celtic’s best manager since the great Jock Stein,” the former captain insisted, before drawing a hard line on how any parting should happen.

“It wouldn't surprise me if he left. I don't think he needs it,” Lambert said. “I'd be shocked and disappointed if Celtic sacked him.

“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.”

O'Neill, for his part, has not tried to dodge the criticism.

“I'm not immune from criticism. Absolutely and utterly far from it,” he admitted. “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.”

The bigger picture now hangs over Celtic’s season – and over whether one of the club’s most decorated modern managers decides he has the appetite to fight through another storm.