The Hoops have won only one of their last five games and pressure is starting to mount on Martin O’Neill.

Things were awful at Celtic last season until O’Neill came in, with the 74-year-old managing to help them to a domestic double.

Many thought things would continue improving after a busy summer, but it has only gone backwards, with O’Neill taking the brunt of it.

However, some strongly believe that he isn’t at fault, or at least deserves a lot more credit than he is getting right now, and this even includes former Rangers player Phil Bardsley.

What changes would you make from the start vs Hearts to avoid more half-time substitutions? 🤔

Phil Bardsley believes Martin O’Neill is being disrespected

O’Neill is certainly a Celtic legend and has plenty of credit in the bank, however results have not been good enough at all this season.

He will know that more than most, but there are still plenty of fans who want him out, and this is something that doesn’t sit right with Bardsley.

“I just think it’s disrespectful to Martin O’Neill,” he told the Daily Record. “I’m not quite sure what’s going on.

“For someone who’s done such a remarkable job and had a great career at Celtic, doing what he did last year when at one point we thought Hearts were running away with the league, then Rangers were back in it, for Celtic to nip it at the end was an incredible job from Martin and his staff.

“Obviously you can have a tough start, and then different managers get mentioned for the job. But it’s totally disrespectful to the manager, and I wouldn’t be best pleased if I were Martin O’Neill.

“Obviously they’ve got a lot of issues going on off the pitch with the ownership, and the relationship with the fans looks like it’s broken down.

“But for people to be asking and speaking about a new manager coming in after all he’s done, it doesn’t sit well with me.”

Martin O’Neill has a defining week ahead

The next seven days for O’Neill and Celtic are huge, with the Hoops facing Hearts and then Celta Vigo in the Europa League.

This is the first time they have played Hearts since the title decider, and a result here would keep them top of the league.

However, they also need to prove themselves in Europe and show they aren’t pushovers, making this week potentially career-defining for O’Neill.

Two defeats and there is a strong chance he is for the chopping block.