Celtic treble winner Tom Boyd has praised the club for securing Martin O’Neill’s continued involvement as manager heading into a pivotal summer window.
Boyd, who won the treble under O’Neill during the 2000-01 season, described the decision to retain the 74-year-old as an “outstanding” piece of business by the club.
O’Neill rode to the rescue last season, delivering the double after stepping back into the dugout, and has now agreed to remain in charge for at least another year.
The veteran manager is set to sign a deal that will also include the option of a further 12 months beyond that initial agreement.
Celtic supremo Dermot Desmond held talks with O’Neill, and those discussions resulted in the Irishman committing to another campaign at the helm.
Boyd told Sky Sports: “I’m absolutely delighted, it was the very sensible choice and Martin earned it.”
He added: “He deserved it, if he wanted it. It was Martin’s choice so that’s outstanding that there is that bit of continuation.”
The continuity in management will be critical given the scale of changes expected across the squad this summer ahead of Champions League qualifying commitments.
Boyd acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying: “There is going to be a complete overhaul for players who will be leaving and players coming in.”
He stressed the importance of stability in the dugout during such turbulence, noting: “It’s good there’s that bit of continuation on the management front for a change.”
Potential departures are set to add pressure to the recruitment drive, with Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels, Reo Hatate, and Benjamin Nygren all considered possible exits this summer.
Boyd believes the management team’s familiarity with their targets will help speed up the process of bringing new faces through the door.
He said: “They will know what they have wanted to identify and what players they want coming in. It’s just the process now of trying to get these players that the management will be looking at.”
Celtic have already been linked with Rodez AF forward Tairyk Arconte, a Guadeloupe international who finished among the top four scorers in Ligue 2 last season.
The 22-year-old contributed 14 goals and three assists in 32 appearances, helping Rodez reach the promotion play-offs before losing on penalties to St Etienne.
Arconte netted his penalty in that shootout and is capable of playing through the middle or wide right, fitting the profile Celtic’s recruitment team typically targets.
Despite having two years remaining on his contract in the south of France, sources in France suggest Ligue 1 newcomers Auxerre and Alex Neil’s Millwall are also monitoring his situation.
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