Celtic chairman Brian Quinn is confident that manager Martin O’Neill will stay at Celtic Park, despite last night’s UEFA Cup defeat to Villarreal.

O’Neill has been the subject of intense speculation over a possible return to the Premiership with Liverpool in particular seen as a possible destination.

Quinn admits the Uefa Cup quarter-final loss was a disappointment but he insists the defeat will have no bearing on O’Neill’s situation.

“We very much want to keep Martin O’Neill,” confirmed Quinn.

“We will do all in our power, with all the resources available to us to ensure he is given support for his efforts as team manager,” said Quinn.

Quinn also believes that a possible restructuring of European football help his cause.

“The SPL has its own problems, we are members of the SPL and, as long as we are, we will participate fully and give our full support.

“I think people have to look at the structure of leagues. They are organised on a national basis at the moment. But we are already seeing a move towards a European league – the Champions League and the Uefa Cup are well down that road, so things are on the move.”