Celtic: O'Neill says he is staying on as club condemns St Andrews protest against Desmond

Martin O'Neill has said he wants to keep leading Celtic, two weeks after suggesting it might be time to end his managerial career. The 74-year-old said in a club interview reported on Tuesday that he is "raring to go" and as determined as ever to win the league. His comments came three days after supporters threw tennis balls at principal shareholder Dermot Desmond during a golf event at St Andrews, an incident the club condemned in unusually strong terms.

What did Martin O'Neill say?

O'Neill signed a one-year deal in the summer after two interim spells last season that ended with a league and Scottish Cup double. After a bad week in September, with two defeats by Rangers either side of a 3-1 home loss to Ferencváros in the Europa League, he hinted that his managerial career could be over. Chief executive Michael Nicholson then backed him in public.

In the interview released during the international break, O'Neill described the period as a moment of reflection that did not take long. He said losing to your biggest rivals and in Europe can happen, that it was not the end of the world, and that he wants to lead the club and win the title. He added that he and the team are ready.

What happened at St Andrews?

Desmond, 76, was playing in the pro-am section of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Saturday 3 October when tennis balls carrying pictures of his face, crossed out, were thrown onto the 15th green. Security staff escorted him off the course. Police Scotland said it was aware of the incident at around 2pm, that nobody was injured and that enquiries are ongoing.

The Celtic Fans Collective shared footage of the protest on X and called for change and more accountability at the top of the club. Supporters have criticised Desmond over what they see as a lack of progress on the pitch.

How did Celtic respond?

In a statement on Saturday evening, Celtic said supporters are entitled to criticise the board and protest peacefully, but called the St Andrews action "premeditated" and an unacceptable escalation that had brought shame on the club. The club added that it no longer sees the Celtic Fans Collective as a credible voice for the wider fanbase, and that it will not be intimidated by organised disruption. The club said it would keep engaging with fans through established channels.

Where do Celtic stand in the Premiership?

Despite the September slump, Celtic are top after seven games, two points ahead of Rangers. Their only league defeat was a 1-0 loss to Derek McInnes's side at Celtic Park on 20 September.

What comes next for Celtic?

Celtic return to league action away at Motherwell on Sunday 11 October, with kick-off at 12pm BST. Motherwell are eighth on eight points. Rangers host Kilmarnock, who are bottom, on Saturday at 3pm. Celtic then welcome third-placed Hearts on Sunday 18 October, a repeat of last season's final-day title decider.