Celtic put faith in 74-year-old Martin O’Neill to lead them as Dermot Desmond targets domestic AND European success

Martin O’Neill has been confirmed as the new permanent manager of Celtic – with Dermot Desmond targeting progress at home and abroad.The 74-year-old, who has been handed a one-year contract with the option of another year, returned to Celtic Park twice last season and ultimately led the troubled Parkhead club to a league and Scottish Cup double.O’Neill said: ‘It is once again a great privilege for me to continue as Celtic manager. Last season will live long in all our memories and to be part of that success has in a big way whetted the appetite to work again for more days like those and bring our supporters those moments.’Of course, none of this could have been achieved without the players and staff and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for bringing that level of focus, determination and talent to bear at the conclusion of the season to deliver the league and Cup double.’I would particularly like to thank the Board for asking me back and giving me this opportunity again. Martin O’Neill won the double with Celtic last season after receiving an SOS from Desmond’We know of course that Celtic can never rest on past success so we are now aiming to drive forward together in the coming season as we aim to deliver again for the club and our fans.’I thank our fans for their ongoing support, it means everything to us. I look forward to being back at Celtic Park next season when we will come together and we will strive again to bring our fans the success which that support deserves.’Celtic’s principal shareholder Desmond added: ‘Time and time again Martin has shown his qualities and what he can bring to Celtic.’We know he is a winner, we know what the club means to him and he continues to be the outstanding candidate to give us the best opportunity to realise our objectives.’He knows the demands at Celtic and I know how determined he is again to bring success to the club and to our supporters.’The club will support Martin fully again across the close season to make sure we are well prepared to achieve domestic success and compete on the European stage.’