Celtic manager Martin O'Neill and chief executive Ian McLeod have joined forces to insist the speculation that still surrounds the Irishman is not affecting their efforts to retain the championship. The Hoops went into the winter break three points behind rivals Rangers following a 1-1 draw at Aberdeen.
O'Neill had promised he would use the break to hold talks about extending his contract, which is due to expire in the summer. The Irishman has been constantly evasive with the media on the issue for more than half a year. However speaking at the launch of the Old Firm's new £12million joint shirt sponsorship deal with beer brand Carling, O'Neill denied it was having an effect on the team.
"I don't think this situation has affected us at all. I might not be getting asked if we had got more than one point at Aberdeen," O'Neill said. "Come to think of it I would have been asked but it's not an issue. We will have a discussion about it over the next few weeks."
McLeod was more forthcoming about his manager's future. He insisted: "Those talks are cordial and operating at a pace that suits Martin and the club. We have the winter break to continue those discussions and we would hope to have more concrete news on that by the end of the month.
"It is a media question which is asked at every available opportunity now but we do it at our pace and in private. I won't put dates on it, he is here until June - that's what his contract says and we have until then to conclude our talks on it. It is not distracting us, the distraction comes when Martin or I do Press interviews."
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
