Veteran boss is set to remain in charge for another year after agreeing a deal following talks with Hoops supremo Dermot Desmond.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill and Kelechi Iheanacho(Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
Tom Boyd reckons Celtic have made an “outstanding” start to the summer by persuading Martin O’Neill to remain in charge ahead of a huge squad overhaul.
The 74-year-old has agreed to another year in the hot seat after riding to the rescue last season to deliver the double.
O’Neill is set to sign a deal which will come with the option of a further 12 months.
But the Irishman knows he faces a massive summer recruitment drive with upgrades badly required on last seasons squad ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.
On top of that Celtic could be faced with more holes to fill with Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels, Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren all potential big names exits.
And Boyd – who won the treble under O’Neill in 2000-01 – reckons continuity in the management team is crucial ahead of a busy window.
He told Sky Sports: “I’m absolutely delighted, it was the very sensible choice and Martin earned it.
“He deserved it, if he wanted it. It was Martin’s choice so that’s outstanding that there is that bit of continuation.
“But there is going to be a complete overhaul for players who will be leaving and players coming in.
“So it’s good there’s that bit of continuation on the management front for a change.
“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.”
Rodez AF forward Tairyk Arconte is the latest name to be linked with the Hoops.
The Guadeloupe international finished in the top four scorers in Ligue 2 last season with 14 goals in 32 games.
He also chipped in with three assists to help his side reach the play-offs where they lost on a penalty shoot out to St Etienne with Arconte netting his effort from the spot.
Arconte can play through the middle or wide right and, although he has two years left on his deal in the south of France, the 22-year-old fits the profile for Hoops recruitment chiefs.
But they would face competition from across the continent with sources in France crediting newly-promoted Ligue 1 club Auxerre and Alex Neil’s Millwall with an interest.