Celtic’s managerial search has slowed slightly after planned discussions with Martin O’Neill and other candidates were delayed until next week.
According to Herald journalist Stephen McGowan, meetings involving Dermot Desmond and the current interim boss were originally expected to take place over the coming days. Those talks have now been pushed back beyond the weekend while the club continues assessing its options for the permanent role.
The same delay also applies to conversations Celtic had lined up in London with alternative candidates linked to the position. That suggests the process remains wide open despite O’Neill guiding the club to a league and cup double after returning midway through the season.
Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy continue to feature heavily in the discussion around the vacancy. Keane is available immediately following his departure from Ferencváros, while Bellamy’s work with Wales has drawn attention because of the intensity and aggression in his teams.
Celtic’s hierarchy appear determined not to rush the decision this time.
The Wilfried Nancy appointment unravelled quickly earlier in the campaign and the club spent months trying to recover consistency before O’Neill steadied performances during the run-in. Senior players responded well once the pressure matches arrived and Celtic regained control in fixtures where they had previously looked nervous.
Another interesting detail in McGowan’s report involves Shaun Maloney.
The current assistant manager is expected to move into a senior football operations role overseeing the department more broadly. That points toward structural changes behind the scenes rather than simply appointing a head coach and leaving everything else untouched.
It could also shape the type of manager Celtic eventually choose. A more modern football structure with Maloney operating above the coaching staff may suit certain candidates more naturally than others.
O’Neill, meanwhile, is due to attend the Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards in Northern Ireland this evening. Even with talks delayed, he remains central to the conversation around the position.
That alone says plenty.
If Celtic had already decided to move in another direction, direct discussions with Desmond would likely not still be pending at this stage. The club are clearly still weighing whether O’Neill’s successful short-term return should become something longer lasting heading into Champions League qualifiers and another major summer rebuild.
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