O'Neill staying on as Celtic manager after weighing up future following back-to-back Rangers losses

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Martin O'Neill has decided to stay on as Celtic manager after a period of reflection following three straight losses — including two against fierce rival Rangers — before the international break.

The 74-year-old O'Neill said he is “just as determined now as ever before” ahead of the team's return to action, at Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

“I did think I would take a little bit of time,” O'Neill said, “and it didn’t take me that much time to think about it.

“I want to lead the club. I want to try and win the league, which is what we set out to do.”

O'Neill, who underwent what the club said was a “ small procedure ” in the hospital in early August, signed a one-year deal with Celtic after leading the team to the Scottish league title in dramatic fashion last season as interim manager.

Celtic leads the league but lost its last match 1-0 to Rangers, a week after also getting beaten by its Old Firm rival in the Scottish League Cup. In between was a defeat to Ferencvaros in the Europa League.

“It’s certainly not the end of the world, as it seemed to be described,” O'Neill said. “But (I’m) ready to go.”

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