Celtic backs O'Neill after 'painful' losing run

Celtic chief executive Michael Nicholson has said the club will unite behind manager Martin O'Neill following a difficult week that brought multiple defeats.

The 74-year-old O'Neill had suggested he would use the international break to weigh up his future after back-to-back losses to Rangers and a home defeat by Ferencvaros in the Europa League. Following Sunday's 1-0 derby loss at Celtic Park, he admitted it might be time to step away.

However, Nicholson indicated the club intends to rally around the manager, who has won nine trophies across two spells at Celtic.

Financial pressure

Nicholson's comments accompanied the release of the club's latest financial results, which showed revenue falling by almost £33m. A £4.8m loss was largely attributed to Celtic's failure to reach last season's Champions League, a target missed again this year after the club squandered a 4-0 aggregate lead in its play-off against LASK.

Nicholson noted that despite a strong start to the Premiership season, the Champions League play-off exit was a disappointment for everyone at the club. He described the recent defeats as painful, but said the focus now shifts to achieving success domestically and in the Europa League, with the club standing behind O'Neill and his players.