Martin O'Neill and Celtic manager search at Belfast awards

Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill addressed the club’s ongoing search for a permanent manager and engaged in a sharp exchange with a member of the audience during an awards ceremony in Belfast on Tuesday night. The 74-year-old was accepting a special recognition award at the Belfast Telegraph Sport Awards when the incident occurred.

During his speech, O’Neill discussed his two interim spells in charge of Celtic this past season, which followed the departure of Brendan Rodgers and a brief, unsuccessful eight-game tenure by Wilfried Nancy. He joked about his prospects of securing the role permanently, suggesting major shareholder Dermot Desmond is likely seeking a younger candidate. I think he is looking for a younger man, a 71-year-old, O’Neill said. I am getting awfully old, but I don’t know what’s in his mind, whether I would have the energy to do it again. I really don’t know.

His remarks were interrupted by former world boxing champion Carl Frampton, a noted supporter of Celtic’s rivals Rangers, who shouted from the audience that Celtic should have kept Nancy as manager. O’Neill quickly responded, asking, What did you say, Frampton? Was that just a crass comment that you...