Martin O’Neill Full of Praise for Celtic-Linked Manager

Interim Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has spoken highly of Craig Bellamy, after the former Hoops striker was linked with the vacant manager’s job at Parkhead.

Bellamy, currently in charge of Wales, has emerged as one of the contenders to succeed Brendan Rodgers, with reports suggesting Celtic’s head of football operations Paul Tisdale has identified him as a leading target.

Speaking when asked about Bellamy’s potential return to the club in a managerial role, O’Neill, who managed the fiery Welshman during his loan spell at Celtic in 2005, was full of admiration for his football intelligence and drive, hailing him as a “student of the game”.

“Well, I think he’s done exceptionally well,” he told Celtic TV.

“First of all, he was an assistant, wasn’t he? And then he’s become manager of Wales, and he’s given them an enormous lift, really. I know the result, he got beaten against Belgium. But overall, yeah.

“The thing I’ve always remembered about Craig, he is a student of the game. He is, even just as a player. Sometimes people just play the game and wouldn’t know the history of anything at all.

“Seriously, I think you could ask him. Don’t. You could ask him who won the FA Cup in 1893.

“He probably would know it.”

Bellamy’s name has gathered momentum in recent days as Celtic weigh up their options, with reports suggesting the compensation to lure him away from his Wales role would be significantly lower than the £5 million it would take to land Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna.

Wilfried Nancy is the latest name to emerge to seemingly be on Celtic’s shortlist.

While O’Neill wouldn’t be drawn on Celtic’s next move, his glowing assessment of Bellamy’s qualities will only add to the intrigue surrounding the former striker and whether he could soon be back at Parkhead in a very different capacity.