O'Neill staying on as Celtic manager after weighing up future following back-to-back Rangers losses

Glasgow, Scotland (AP) — Martin O'Neill has decided to remain as Celtic manager following a period of introspection following three consecutive losses, including two against arch-rivals Rangers, prior to the international break. The 74-year-old O'Neill declared himself "just as determined now as ever before" as the team readies itself for their upcoming Scottish Premiership match against Motherwell on Sunday.

"I did think I would take a little bit of time," O'Neill clarified, "and it didn't take me that much time to come to this decision." His goal is to lead the club and strive for a league title, as initially intended. O'Neill, who underwent a "small procedure" in a hospital early August, inked a one-year contract with Celtic after steering the team to a dramatic Scottish league title victory last season as interim manager.

Celtic currently leads the league, having suffered a 1-0 defeat to Rangers in their last match, following a similar loss to their Old Firm rival in the Scottish League Cup. Another setback was a defeat to Ferencvaros in the Europa League. "It's certainly not the end of the world, as it seemed to be described," O'Neill remarked. "But (I'm) ready to go."