Criticism of the decision to allow Ronny Deila to continue until the end of the season is generally met with the counter argument of ‘who else could they bring in?’
Simple, there are at least three candidates that could take over at a minute’s notice to ensure that five-in-a-row is delivered without accident. John Kennedy, Malky Mackay and Willie McStay.
After explaining how the lack of improvement has been killing him inside for almost six months Deila will turn to the group of players that he has been unable to work on to see Celtic past Ross County.
Confidence will be fragile after losing Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden. The same group of players have scraped their way past Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle in recent weeks while drawing twice with Dundee and once with Hamilton Accies.
Deila’s team selection and use of the squad has baffled outsiders, the effect on those inside must be head-bursting.
Without fail Scott Brown, Stefan Johansen and Mikel Lustig are assured of a place in the team. Equally Ryan Christie and Scott Allan can be certain that they’ll be watching from the stand.
At Hampden on Sunday the three substitutes, Eric Sviachenko, Callum McGregor and Tom Rogic, along with Kieran Tierney, were the three players that looked most interested.
Deila avoided saying that he had lost the dressing room but everything else that he said yesterday pointed to that reality. Expecting a positive reaction to his decision to leave on his terms is a very dangerous strategy- especially when there are three caretakers on the doorstep.
JOHN KENNEDY– Has spent his entire footballing life, bar a six month loan spell at Norwich, inside Celtic Park and knows the club inside out, the dynamics that work and more importantly those that don’t.
Wrongly branded as the defensive coach, Kennedy has had the difficult task over the last two seasons of being first team coach, the go-between linking players with management.
The front line experience that he has picked up, his knowledge of the Scottish game and his drive to be a success make him a perfect candidate to steer the club through the final five matches of the season.
MALKY MACKAY– Came into football from the basement at Queens Park with his career shaped by the contrasting styles of Eddie Hunter and Tommy Burns before becoming battle hardened by the demands of the English Championship.
The fall out of his departure from Cardiff City has proved extremely damaging to his reputation outside of the game with few clubs prepared to take on his baggage.
At Watford and Cardiff he showed that he can get the best out of players, can create team spirit and desire- exactly the qualities that Celtic need over the next five matches.
WILLIE MCSTAY– Ticks many of the boxes completed by Kennedy but has the bonus of being a fresh voice in the dressing room.
After taking on the job of managing Ujpest Dozsa in 2009 his career went off track but experience at Stockport and Bristol City has added to his portfolio.
McStay has been on the scouting staff at Celtic for over a year and understands the demands and expectations of the job.
While Deila prepares for his next move, and probably sing like a canary about how everyone else was out of sync during his time at Celtic, the three caretaker candidates have a greater understanding about the club, expectations and the support.
Putting either in charge for the remaining matches would be less of a risk that allowing Deila to continue. The grand plans outlined two years ago of passing Barcelona off the park with super fit athletes quickly crumbled, hopefully the eight point advantage doesn’t go the same way.
CLICK HERE for Why Deila should leave now.
