Celtic’s search for a manager is gathering pace over the international break.
With Martin O’Neill currently in interim charge, Dermot Desmond is faced with the choice between sticking with the safe pair of hands, or making a change.
If he is to make a change, it looks like Wilfried Nancy would be most likely to get the role. Nancy is a relatively unknown quantity, having only managed in MLS.
Kjetil Knutsen and Kieran McKenna are also in the conversation, as options with more established European experience – but neither would come cheap.
And as reported by Alan Nixon on Sunday, Irish manager Brian Barry-Murphy is in the frame – but Middlesbrough are watching him too.
Brian Barry-Murphy told to go to Middlesbrough over Celtic
Barry-Murphy will be known to Celtic higher-ups given his recent role as Development Squad manager at Manchester City.
Ange Postecoglou’s appointment came through links to the City Group, and the Hoops interviewed Enzo Maresca whilst he was working at the Etihad.
READ MORE: What only Arsenal and Ronny Deila have achieved against Celtic manager target Kjetil Knutsen
Barry-Murphy only moved to Cardiff City in the summer following their relegation from the Championship.
The 47-year-old was an Irish youth international and is now working with David Turnbull in the Welsh capital.
And on Irish radio station Off The Ball, debate was surrounding his potential choice between going to Parkhead or Middlesbrough, with Rob Edwards having departed the North-East side for Wolves.
Host Arthur O’Dea said: “He’s been somewhat linked with the Celtic job, but he’s been heavily linked with the Middlesbrough job. These opportunities don’t come around often.
“The Celtic one would be amazing, but I think the Boro would be a better fit. Obviously, it’s not a more lucrative job, not at all.
“But I think that would be the logical next step.”
But pundit Will O’Callaghan clamped him, saying: “But the chance to manage the champions of Scotland, and manage in Europe. He won’t get blamed [if they don’t win the league].
“The fans will blame what has happened up until this point. The fans would blame that the board didn’t invest in the summer. Bizarrely enough, if you’re going to Celtic, now would be the perfect time.”
EFL managers to be linked to Celtic
The aforementioned Maresca eventually joined Leicester in 2023, ironically replacing Rodgers who opted to come back to Celtic.
As for McKenna, there are doubts over whether any move would be possible due to his lucrative long-term contract at Ipswich.
The Northern Irishman would nevertheless be an ambitious candidate for the Hoops, after his impressive transformation of Ipswich and previous experience at Tottenham and Manchester United.
Craig Bellamy has been assistant to Vincent Kompany at Burnley in the Championship, but won’t be heading to Celtic Park anytime soon due to commitments with Wales
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