Celtic are into a third week without a permanent manager. Judging by Monday night’s vague update, there is little sign of progress.

The club confirmed that Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney will continue to lead first-team affairs while the board ‘continues its recruitment process’. It was another statement with no substance, no clarity, and no urgency.

BUT…while supporters wait for real leadership, the club’s marketing machine has roared back into gear.

This week, Celtic launched a fresh winter range of Adidas Terrex gear, including jumpers, jackets, and outdoor wear, just in time for Christmas. The timing has infuriated sections of the support, many of whom are still waiting for answers after a shambolic start to the season.

Celtic FC fans potesting against the board
2nd November 2025; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Scottish Premier Sports Cup semi final, Rangers versus Celtic; Celtic fans banner

Celtic are seven points behind Hearts in the league, albeit with a game in hand, and out of the Champions League before the league stage after a humiliating defeat to FC Kairat Almaty. Add a Europa League campaign that has been flat and forgettable, and it is no wonder the atmosphere around the club is where it is.

Supporters backing the ‘Not Another Penny’ campaign, spearheaded by the Celtic collective, have long accused the board of prioritising profits over progress. Tuesday’s merch push, launched less than 24 hours after the club confirmed there would be no managerial update, will only harden those views.

But don’t worry. If you’re feeling the chill of another underwhelming campaign, the club shop has just the thing to keep you warm.

Celtic Manager Hunt and Wider Context

After the international break, Celtic face St Mirren on Saturday evening, with Martin O’Neill still expected to be in charge on an interim basis. It is a tricky fixture to re-start the campaign, and it comes at the front of a crowded run that will shape the rest of the season.

Between now and the turn of the year the schedule is heavy. League points are there to be clawed back, European commitments still demand focus, and the festive period will squeeze recovery time to a minimum. This is the spell that tests depth, clarity, and conviction.

Celtic FC Shareholder Dermot Desmond and Celtic f.c. Chairman Peter Lawwell
Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v St Mirren – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – May 17, 2025 Celtic owner Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell are seen after the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Going into that run without a permanent manager is more than awkward. It limits planning on the training pitch, slows decisions on selection and shape, and pushes the tactical reset further down the road. Every week without an appointment narrows the window for the new coach to set standards, build relationships, and install the basics before the matches pile up.

The board’s argument will be simple enough. You must get the right person. Fair. But timing carries its own cost. Delay now risks handicapping the eventual appointee, and it complicates January recruitment, where a clear blueprint is essential. Players need to know where they stand. Targets need to know who they will be playing for.

There is still an opportunity here. Make a decisive appointment, give the staff clear authority in the meantime, and use the St Mirren match to really propel the team into the next run of games.

Celtic FC manager candidate Wilfried Nancy
Wilfried Nancy speaks to his players during the team’s practice Tuesday, March 16, 2021 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

St Mirren is the immediate hurdle. The run that follows is the real exam. The longer the wait for a manager, the higher the price of every dropped point.

Celtic feel directionless. A team without a manager. A season of major upheaval and self-inflicted wounds. And a boardroom that continues to treat the fanbase like a captive market rather than the lifeblood of the club.

Wilfried Nancy remains the favourite to take the hot seat at the moment, but as we have all seen in the past, things can change very quickly. Eddie Howe is the perfect example.

11 COMMENTS

  1. Why would people like you care? You are the least pro-Celtic post on the internet! Your goal is like that of Brendan Rodgers! To stir up toxicity with gullible so-called fans!
    We as the most successful club the country has ever seen, want to get it right. We have a top quality management team in place who so far have lifted the morale of the players, guided them into a Cup Final, reduced the gap at the top of the league, and have a shortlist of men they have spoken with.
    You just don’t know who it will be! You aren’t important enough!

  2. Towo posters one about our board by season bookholders they are allowed to complain the other one pulled out at last minute i dont think are season book holders but if the are are they will be members of our young nieve younster and have allowed older anurchists that just want to use Celtics world wide coverage and they know where to put there flag seen the two of them in the one picture makes them think we all are friends only thing most have in common is they are in the same frame we have got ourselves mixed up with these anurchists that have attached themsekves to the nieve young ultras that will protest about anything this photo makes Celtic look like hamas supporters and we have lost a good player through these flags They were left on seats to protest against yhe blockade of food and medical supplies that Isrealsi stopped but the Scottish media made it look like we were suporting hamas and that lost us a good Isreali international player been forced out by this show abda nowe better but his fellow international couldnt understand and now we cant print with our nabe Celtic FC-since 1888 a club for all we ultras more so step in to let people know hamas or any politcle banners have done a lot if damage stop these anurchists using our good name yes they no what there doing i dount if theres more than 30 but there well oganised and duped us we need to get iur moto back a club for all

  3. Jack, if you are going to make a point can you at least make it readable. Your lack of full stops and commas is an unbelievable feat of illegibility. Combined with your dysfunctional spelling I’ve no idea what your point is caller

  4. Thats all im worrying about getting our club are geeting used i used a slate as a jotter at school no and 50 in class im glad you notice mistakes cause there must be something right

  5. I am a EX season card holder (1997-2016) but nothing gets my hackles up more than being pasted as a

    .Glory hunter (Who does know that whole Celtic songbook)

    A fan is a fan no matter their social standin, nor how much they spend.

    I am not embarrassed but my Celtic fandom, I chose them.

    They didn’t invite me in, or allow my cash (to them) to stop.

    I managed both, on my own

    Ma great, great Grannie said, ‘Pickin a team is like pickin yur nose.
    As sometimes you may see blood, but you’d ever stop pickin yur nose”‘.

  6. If this article (and others similar in tone) was written by the Scottish Mainstream Media, Celtic supporters would be furious! Are “CELTS ARE HERE” anti-Celtic? It seems they hate the club and all it stands for.

Comments are closed.