Celtic’s search for a permanent manager remains far from decided, and fresh comments from journalist Stephen McGowan suggest there is still work to be done before any agreement is reached.
Martin O’Neill remains firmly in the picture after guiding Celtic to a Premiership and Scottish Cup double. Talks have already taken place with Dermot Desmond, but according to McGowan, the situation is far from settled.
The club must decide what role they want O’Neill to have going forward. At the same time, O’Neill must decide whether he wants to commit to another spell in the dugout at this stage of his career.
That uncertainty explains why Celtic are continuing to explore other options. Robbie Keane remains under consideration, while Craig Bellamy has not completely disappeared from the conversation despite his recent public comments about staying with Wales.
McGowan discussed the latest situation on the BBC Scottish Football Podcast.
He said: “I think if I told you I knew for sure what was happening, I wouldn’t be honest. I mean, they’ve kept it pretty tight. I think they are talking this week to Martin O’Neill again.
“He’s had provisional talks with Dermot Desmond and he will speak to him again. I think they discussed various options before and now they’re still not really particularly close to an agreement. So that has to be resolved.
“They have to see what Martin wants to do, what they want to do with him as well. It has to suit both parties. I mean, if you’re Martin O’Neill and, as you say, you’re 74, you’re not sure if you want to commit long-term, well, you’re in quite a strong position.
“You only commit if it suits you. And I think it will have to be a deal which really suits his lifestyle and the way he wants to live his life just now, if he can be bothered with it. And that has to be resolved.
“They’re also speaking to Robbie Keane. As you say, he is a polarising figure. There is this Israel issue, where he worked on Maccabi Tel Aviv in the background, which seems to perplex a lot of Celtic supporters.
“There’s one other candidate I wouldn’t entirely rule out yet, even though he appeared to do it himself yesterday, and that’s Craig Bellamy, the Wales manager. Now, he said in the pre-match press conference before they played against Ghana that he was committed to his job.
“I think that falls into the category of what else could he say? He was at a Wales press conference talking to a lot of Welsh journalists. But I think Celtic want to speak to him. I think he would be interested in having a conversation.
“Whether that goes anywhere, I don’t know.”
McGowan’s comments suggest the coming days could be crucial. O’Neill remains at the centre of Celtic’s thinking, but there still appears to be distance between the two parties as discussions continue.
Bellamy’s name also refuses to disappear. The Wales manager appeared to play down the possibility of a move earlier this week when discussing his commitment to his current role.
However, McGowan’s view is that Celtic still want to speak to him and that the door may not be completely closed. For now, O’Neill, Keane and Bellamy all appear to remain part of the conversation as Celtic continue their search for a permanent manager.
