The priority for Celtic is obvious. Get the league title over the line. The wider question refuses to go away, though. Who takes the job permanently?
One name now being pushed is Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou, and it is coming from a familiar voice.
Alan Stubbs has backed the Dane for consideration.
Motherwell sit seven points behind Celtic, and they have not got there by chance. Berthel Askou arrived in the summer and shifted the tone immediately.
They keep the ball, they play forward, and they attack in numbers.
It has drawn comparisons with Ange Postecoglou’s early spell at Celtic, when the intent was clear from week one.
Tawanda Maswanhise is joint-top of the scoring charts alongside Benjamin Nygren. That tells you plenty about how Motherwell are set up.
Maswanhise was linked with a move to the Hoops in January. Nothing materialised, but the interest spoke to the impact he has had under Berthel-Askou.
Stubbs believes the manager deserves serious recognition. He said (RecordSport):
“If you look at him, the job he has done is so impressive he would be one of the contenders for manager of the year.
“No disrespect to Motherwell, but when was the last time a Motherwell manager was in the running for manager of the year? I think he has put together a group of players and has got them playing with a style and a swagger as well.
“Motherwell completely outplayed Celtic like we have not seen before. First of all that tells you that they are playing with confidence, but also that they are playing with an identity that has been instilled in the players.
“For me, I would have no problem with him being in the running for the Celtic job.”
That line will split opinion.
Outplaying Celtic like we have not seen before is not something supporters brush off lightly. It stings because it was true on the day,
Albeit during Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous tenure, their intent to attack in waves was bold.
Motherwell were sharper, braver and clearer in what they were doing.
Berthel Askou has given them structure and belief. They know how they want to play, and they commit to it.
Celtic are still chasing silverware. That remains the measure.
But the identity question is hovering over the club. Supporters want to see a direction, not just a name in the dugout. Stubbs has thrown one into the mix.
Whether the club would seriously look at a manager currently in the Premiership remains another question.
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