Martin O’Neill is being backed to remain at Celtic beyond this weekend, after Viljami Sinisalo praised the veteran boss for restoring belief ahead of the Scottish Cup final.
Saturday’s Hampden showdown with Dunfermline is expected to be O’Neill’s final game in charge following a dramatic season in which the 74-year-old twice stepped in to steady the ship after the departures of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy.
But Sinisalo admits the squad would welcome more of the same from the former Hoops manager. “We’ve certainly loved every single day working with him, from the first day he came in to speak to us before the Falkirk game,” said the goalkeeper.
“I think he said ‘I’m not sure if any of you know who I am’, but I’m very much certain that every one of us did. Whether you’re 18 or 30, everyone knows who Martin O’Neill is. He’s got such a big name in the game, he’s done so much in the game, such an iconic figure at the football club.
“We’re forever grateful for what he’s managed to do for us this season in terms of installing that confidence and belief in what we’re doing.
“If he keeps doing that next year, great. It’s not down to me, but I certainly wouldn’t be against it.”
O’Neill has helped guide Celtic to the brink of a domestic double, with the title already secured and the chance to add the Scottish Cup this weekend.
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For Sinisalo, the final also offers an opportunity to cap a breakthrough spell as the club’s number one.
The 24-year-old stepped in at the end of February after Kasper Schmeichel was ruled out with a serious shoulder problem and has impressed under pressure. “I got put in a situation where there’s obviously a lot of pressure,” he said.
“There’s always a lot of pressure as a Celtic player but even more as a goalie because eyes are on you and every little mistake is obviously vital. I think I’m still growing, I’m trying to get better every day and I will get better, but I’ve loved every single second of the little time I’ve had as a number one and long may that continue.
“I always said I wanted to play for this club as a number one and to have that chance, I’ve got to be really, really grateful to the manager for putting me in at Stuttgart. That’s when it kind of started.
"I’m very much still trying to build on stuff and understanding the fact that I’m still a young goalkeeper and trying to get better every day.”
After a turbulent campaign on and off the pitch, Sinisalo believes lifting the cup would be a fitting way to sign off. “A lot of things have happened this season and people have gone through a lot,” he said.
“Not just the players and staff but the people following us around the country and around Europe have gone through a lot of emotions watching us. So if we could end the season with a cup win it would obviously be special.
"That’s what we’re working towards.”
