BRENDAN STILL HAS FIRE IN HIS BELLY

Martin wouldn't be surprised if Rodgers already has secret deal in place with Desmond to extend his stay at Bhoys beyond end of his contract

- KEITH JACKSON

GORDON STRACHAN believes every Celtic manager has a shelf life. And it rarely lasts longer than three exhausting years at the coal face.

But Martin O'Neill begs to differ.

And, having cherished the position for almost five years during his own time at the helm, he has yet to be convinced that current boss Brendan Rodgers will be in any rush to move on at the end of this, his second spell in charge.

O'Neill was speaking at Hampden yesterday to help launch Premier Sports' coverage of the new top-flight season knowing Rodgers is now entering the third and final year of his Parkhead contract.

And the veteran Northern Irishman strongly suspects that, having not long turned 52 years old, his compatriot will have plenty left in the tank should he want to prolong his stay in the hotseat.

Asked about Strachan's assertion that three years might be more than enough, O'Neill insisted he would have had no intention to bow out two decades ago had it not been for the failing health of his wife Geraldine.

He said: "Well, I never felt that.

Honestly, I never felt that at all.

"Eventually I would have outstayed my welcome but that would have been to do with results.

"Somewhere along the way you would get a spell of results that nobody wanted. But, no, if my wife had been well enough, absolutely I would have stayed here until, until it's gone.

"Eventually everybody gets fed up with people, no question.

"Fans get fed up with a manager even if he's doing alright. The manager might think it's stressful - but that's part of the game and it's enjoyable at times. The only thing I hated about it was talking to you guys!" True to form, the barbs remain as sharp as they ever were. But O'Neill has mellowed over time nonetheless.