Northern Ireland’s manager Michael O’Neill has refuted any rumors linking him to the Aberdeen managerial vacancy. While O’Neill briefly played for Aberdeen in 1998, making only six first-team appearances during his loan spell, he has since distanced himself from the speculated move. Following Neil Warnock’s short-lived tenure, O’Neill was initially considered a top contender for the position.
Known for guiding Northern Ireland to the European Championships in 2016, O’Neill spent nearly three years at Stoke City before returning to his national team role in 2022. With a firm commitment to his current responsibilities, he emphasized his focus on Northern Ireland, mentioning, “I signed a five-and-a-half-year contract, so I’m fully dedicated to what I’m doing here.” O’Neill’s remarks to the Press and Journal dismissed the Scottish media’s speculations about his potential move to Aberdeen, highlighting his ongoing dedication to his current role.
Meanwhile, at Celtic, defender Yuki Kobayashi’s future remains uncertain as the club rejected approaches from Kashima Antlers and other clubs, including HJK and MLS teams. Despite the lack of playing time since his arrival in January 2023, with only five appearances under his belt, Celtic is reluctant to part ways with him for now. Kobayashi, a five-time Japan U20 international, has struggled to secure a spot in the matchday squad under current management, having yet to feature this season.
