Celtic are once again at a crossroads following Brendan Rodgers’ resignation. His decision to step down came as a shock to many, given his history with the club and the success he’s delivered. Rodgers’ tenure, although largely successful, was also defined by increasing tension surrounding transfer strategy and long-term vision. His departure leaves Celtic on the hunt for the next manager to keep the club competitive on multiple fronts.
Martin O’Neill’s Temporary Return
In the wake of Rodgers’ exit, Celtic immediately turned to a familiar face in Martin O’Neill. The 73-year-old led the club to domestic success in the early 2000s and was installed as interim boss following Rodgers’ departure. Under the Northern Irishman, Celtic have played two and won two, with their second victory coming in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals against Rangers.
There’s no doubt that O’Neill’s return, even in the interim, has provided the squad with a much-needed morale boost. In just two games, Celtic have found the back of the net on seven occasions, and look like a team brimming with more confidence with each match played.
The Search for a New Permanent Manager
While O’Neill is doing precisely what’s being asked of him, the Celtic hierarchy knows they need to appoint a permanent manager sooner rather than later, to restore some stability at the club in the long term. Online sports betting odds suggest O’Neill himself is the favourite to be appointed, which makes sense due to the team winning. However, the veteran manager has insisted his role at Celtic is short-term.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, who led the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League, is also thought to be a candidate. The former Manchester United coach is currently trying to get Ipswich back into the top flight, and it’s believed that any move for him would cost a lot in compensation.
Another former Celtic manager in Ange Postecoglou, has also been linked with a return to the club. The Australian was hugely successful and incredibly popular during his time in charge, and he’ll no doubt be eager to get back into a job to prove himself following his disastrous spell at Nottingham Forest. But, according to reports, Postecolgou is not expected to return.
The likelihood is that Celtic will talk with multiple out-of-work managers who are available. Those currently employed are all thought to be hard to acquire, especially as there will be compensation involved. With O’Neill currently guiding the ship along nicely, the club can afford to take its time as they search for a long-term replacement for Rodgers.
What Lies Ahead for Celtic
The reality is, Celtic need to hire a new manager and then put a run together that will allow them to close the gap on league leaders Hearts. This is why their next appointment will be key, as the pressure will be on from the get-go. It’s also why many are eager to see O’Neill stay in charge until the end of the current campaign, because he’s calm under pressure and has been there and done it at Celtic.
Conclusion
All is not lost for Celtic. And with a steady hand on the tiller, the club has time to do their due diligence before appointing the right man for the job. With plenty of football still to be played, if Celtic get it right, they could still enjoy a successful season.
