HOOPY TO STAY

MARTIN O'Neill admits he'd love to lead Celtic out in the Premier Sports Cup Final against St Mirren next month.

- by ANDY NEWPORT

And the stand-in boss let it slip he'd also be open for talks with Dermot Desmond over his long term future with the Hoops.

O'Neill's name echoed around Hampden Park last night as Celts saw off a spirited Rangers to seal a return against Saints on December 14.

The 73-year-old isn't banking on being around as Parkhead chiefs search for a permanent appointment.

But when asked about the final bow, O'Neill said:

"Well, secretly you would love to, you know. It's December time.

"Look, we're in the results business and all of these things can change.

Results

"I was actually at Midtjylland's game against Nottingham Forest, where they were just too strong for them, really, and that was at the City Ground.

"And then we've got the Kilmarnock game on Sunday.