Exclusive: Martin O’Neill holding crunch talks with Dermot Desmond TODAY over his Celtic future… and has revealed what HE thinks should happen next

Martin O’Neill is holding crunch talks with Celtic power-broker Dermot Desmond today in an attempt to iron out his Celtic future.

The Celtic interim manager has returned from Glasgow to London during the international break but is keen to clarify both his future and Celtic’s.

It is believed O’Neill might be willing to stay longer at the club, but is advising Celtic that the sooner they appoint a new long-term manager, the better.

‘I’ve said repeatedly that, of course, I’m willing to help the club out, and a part of me has really enjoyed the experience,’ said O’Neill.

But I do think Celtic needs a new, probably younger manager coming in to set the club back on course. I really think that might be best for all concerned.’

Celtic may be wishing to ask O’Neill to stay on until January, and most Celtic fans want him to be in the dugout for the Scottish League Cup final on December 14.

Martin O’Neill booked a League Cup final spot after defeating Rangers at Hampden

It remains to be seen if O’Neill will still be manager for that final date in December

But O’Neill believes Celtic need longer-term clarity and rebuilding. And he also sees the looming January transfer window as a key moment for the club.

‘There are obvious things that need to be done to the squad – an added striker for a start – and Celtic must press ahead,’ said O’Neill. I’m not sentimental about this. This should not be about me at all, actually.’

Celtic’s interim manager appeared this morning on BBC Belfast and added to the context around him.

‘I am not a party to anything that is happening with the board talking to prospective clients and things like this, nor do I want to be because that’s never been a remit of mine.

‘My job was to come in and hold the fort, and the minute someone is appointed, I will step aside.

And if it was tomorrow, I would gladly step aside. It’s not a problem. It’s nothing to do with ego or anything like that. It’s just to help out in the very, very short term.’

The cup final against St. Mirren is four weeks away and there are some inside Celtic who would like to see the veteran remain in charge for the Hampden showdown.

‘That really doesn’t matter,’ said O’Neill, dismissing any notion that sentimentality should come into play.

I am a romantic and have been a romantic all my life. I know the history of football and all of those particular things but that doesn’t bother me one jot.’