Martin O'Neill says Celtic stay was a quick decision after losing run

Martin O'Neill has indicated that he was not on the verge of walking away from Celtic following three consecutive defeats, saying his decision to continue was reached quickly. BBC Sport reported on Friday that the manager remained enthusiastic about the job and was happy to stay as long as the club wanted him to lead the team.

Watch the highlights:

His latest explanation follows an earlier public commitment to carry on. In an October 6 report, BBC Sport Scotland described a club interview in which O'Neill said the international break had given him a chance to reflect. He said he wanted to remain in charge, pursue the league title and return with his determination intact after a difficult period.

The uncertainty began during a sequence of losses last month. Celtic were beaten twice by Rangers, with a 3-1 home defeat against Ferencvaros in the Europa League between those matches. O'Neill subsequently raised the possibility of ending his managerial career. BBC Sport Scotland reported that chief executive Michael Nicholson publicly supported him as the club rallied around its manager.

O'Neill, 74, had agreed a one-year contract after returning for two interim spells during the previous season. Those spells ended with Celtic winning both the league and Scottish Cup, according to the earlier BBC report. In his club interview, he acknowledged the setbacks against domestic rivals and European opposition but rejected the idea that the difficult week amounted to a terminal crisis.

On Friday, O'Neill said leaving at this stage would have been the wrong response. He suggested that without the international break he might not have made the remarks that prompted questions about his future. Three weeks have elapsed since the 1-0 home loss to Rangers that cost Celtic their first league points of the season.

Celtic now face nine matches in 28 days before the next international break, beginning with Sunday's Premiership trip to Motherwell. O'Neill expressed confidence in his players and identified winning the league as their focus. He also pointed to last season's success as motivation to continue, while acknowledging that concern about results remains part of management.