Chris Sutton has thrown two left-field, on English Championship manager, forward as possible Celtic managers.
Both have fairly sound managerial records but whether they like it or not the Celtic board know that they must come up with an exciting appointment if they are to retain the bulk of the Season Ticket sales.
It’s not too long ago that renewals were at a trickle as fans contemplated another season of Project Management under Ronny Deila, they were already voting with their feet with bigger empty spaces at every passing home match in the second season under the Norwegian.
Appointing Brendan Rodgers turned things round instantly. It wasn’t just the appointment of a new manager but supporters knew that the new boss wouldn’t be pushed down the austerity road dictated by Peter Lawwell as costs were cut in every department outside of Executive Salaries.
A similar appointment is needed now with the Rodgers years almost wiped out across the club other than the record books which show seven out of seven domestic trophies won and two out of three Champions League group stage places secured.
Who do you think should take over at Celtic manager??? pic.twitter.com/VZH5iipBIV
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It’s a really, really difficult one. Maybe Celtic have something up their sleeve and will pull somebody in from the continent with a big reputation.
I think somebody like Michael O’Neill has done a pretty decent job throughout his management career. Maybe have a shot for somebody like him.
I’ll tell you an interesting one down south. Mick McCarthy’s gone into Cardiff City and turned them around. He may not be everybody’s cup of team but you sort of know he will organise his team and get them playing a certain way.”
Today, McCarthy takes his Cardiff City side to Middlesbrough, O’Neill takes Stoke City to Brentford.
Mick McCarthy has survived 20 years in management, ticks all the ex-Celt boxes but has never been linked with the club he signed for in 1987.
In most of his jobs he has had his hands tied behind his back in times of budgets but managed to put together teams that were far stronger than the individual abilities of the players. Celtic currently have the reverse.
O’Neill was pragmatic with Northern Ireland, moulding together a team that outpunched their weight while dependent on SPFL talent like Niall McGinn, Kyle Lafferty, Liam Boyce and Josh Maggenis to score goals at international level.
Before the process gets underway Celtic really need to have their next CEO appoint a Director of Football. It took the club long enough to realise that there was nothing left in Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon, hopefully their replacements are quickly in place and turning around the disaster zone that they are inheriting.
