Post by Taxigirl on Apr 16, 2004 9:59:15 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/3628417.stm
Celtic chairman Brian Quinn has promised the club's fans he will not allow the defeat in Villarreal to tempt boss Martin O'Neill away from the club.
O'Neill has been the subject of persistent speculation over a possible return to the Premiership.
Quinn admits the Uefa Cup quarter-final loss was a disappointment but he is adamant that the manager will not be allowed to slip away without a fight.
"We very much want to keep Martin O'Neill," confirmed Quinn.
O'Neill has enjoyed phenomenal success in his four years in Glasgow, most notably guiding the club to the Uefa Cup final last season.
O'Neill's growing reputation in the game has not gone unnoticed in the Celtic boardroom and he has been linked with jobs at Liverpool and Tottenham.
"We will do all in our power, with all the resources available to us to ensure he is given support for his efforts as team manager," said Quinn.
Quinn is convinced a major change in league structure across Europe is coming - a move which would also help his hand in keeping O'Neill at Parkhead.
He said: "The SPL has its own problems, we are members of the SPL and, as long as we are, we will participate fully and give our full support.
"I think people have to look at the structure of leagues.
They are organised on a national basis at the moment.
But we are already seeing a move towards a European league - the Champions League and the Uefa Cup are well down that road, so things are on the move."
Celtic chairman Brian Quinn has promised the club's fans he will not allow the defeat in Villarreal to tempt boss Martin O'Neill away from the club.
O'Neill has been the subject of persistent speculation over a possible return to the Premiership.
Quinn admits the Uefa Cup quarter-final loss was a disappointment but he is adamant that the manager will not be allowed to slip away without a fight.
"We very much want to keep Martin O'Neill," confirmed Quinn.
O'Neill has enjoyed phenomenal success in his four years in Glasgow, most notably guiding the club to the Uefa Cup final last season.
O'Neill's growing reputation in the game has not gone unnoticed in the Celtic boardroom and he has been linked with jobs at Liverpool and Tottenham.
"We will do all in our power, with all the resources available to us to ensure he is given support for his efforts as team manager," said Quinn.
Quinn is convinced a major change in league structure across Europe is coming - a move which would also help his hand in keeping O'Neill at Parkhead.
He said: "The SPL has its own problems, we are members of the SPL and, as long as we are, we will participate fully and give our full support.
"I think people have to look at the structure of leagues.
They are organised on a national basis at the moment.
But we are already seeing a move towards a European league - the Champions League and the Uefa Cup are well down that road, so things are on the move."