O'NEILL: BREN IS STILL A LEGEND

MARTIN O'Neill insists Brendan Rodgers' Celtic legacy won't be tarnished by his epic bust-up with Dermot Desmond.

- by MICHAEL GANNON

And the new interim boss is convinced the Parkhead power broker's public flaying of the former gaffer won't have potential managers running for the hills.

O'Neill answered Desmond's SOS to return as caretaker alongside Shaun Maloney on the back of Rodgers' bombshell departure on Monday night.

Spells

The former Ireland boss - who won 11 out of 13 trophies across his two spells with Celts - quit before the major shareholder released a stinging statement accusing the outgoing boss of putting the club's board in the firing line with self-preservation and falsehoods over transfers.

Rodgers has yet to hit back and O'Neill admitted his sadness over the complete breakdown of the pair's relationship. But the returning hero is adamant the bitter end shouldn't tarnish the departed manager’s impact at Parkhead.

O'Neill - who will be in the dugout for tonight's Falkirk clash - said: "I don't think it will affect his legacy.

"Why should it? You're judged by results on the pitch and while at this minute it's a bit of a struggle for Celtic, the overall picture is one of real positivity.

"So I don't think that will be remarked upon."In both spells I think he did fantastically well.