Petrov urges Celtic to keep O’Neill and strengthen recruitment

Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has urged the club not to dismiss or part ways with manager Martin O’Neill, arguing that Celtic should instead strengthen its recruitment operation and give the manager more support. Petrov made the remarks during a period of uncertainty over O’Neill’s future. After Celtic’s 1-0 defeat to Rangers, O’Neill said he would reflect on whether he could turn the team’s fortunes around. He noted that Celtic remained two points clear and described the season as a long fight. No decision by O’Neill or the club on his position was reported. Petrov, who played under O’Neill during the manager’s first spell at Celtic, said changing manager now would be the wrong response. He called for the club to appoint a director of football or a head of recruitment to help build the squad. The reports do not indicate that Celtic has approved or planned such an appointment. Petrov criticized the timing of Celtic’s transfer activity, saying the club missed an opportunity to bring in the right players and that six signings in the final 48 hours of the transfer window was not a sound way to build a winning team.