We’re unlikely to ever see Ange Postecoglou back at Celtic, but Craig Bellamy may be the next-best thing.
The Wales boss has been speaking ahead of their World Cup qualifying play-offs, and listening to him, it’s impossible not to feel like this is a man destined to manage Celtic.
Bellamy has overseen a complete overhaul in playing style in charge of the national side, getting stellar results in doing so.
Ahead of what is potentially his biggest challenge yet, he gave a brilliant insight into how he thinks about the game.
Agree or disagree?
Craig Bellamy’s ‘100-miles-an-hour football’ would be perfect for Celtic
Speaking ahead of their semi-final clash with Bosnia, Bellamy said: “We’ve got to full gas. Like, that ball goes out for a throw-in? Three seconds, get it back in.
“Keep the tempo quick. And I feel like people want to see it, I don’t know. I could be wrong, but that’s what I feel.
READ MORE: St Mirren make decision on interim boss Craig McLeish for Celtic double-header
“We want to see that. We want that, 100 miles-an-hour football. Might not be perfect, but nothing’s ever perfect, anyway.
“But you know when you go and watch something? I don’t know what it’s going to be, but it’s going to be exciting. I’ll go again! I’ll go again, I’ll keep going. That’s what it should be.
“That’s the responsibility we all have. And I’m not saying this is right or wrong, this is how I like the game. I adore this game. I adore this game. I always said, I’m not here to pickpocket you. Understand what I mean, where I just… you don’t see me, and I just take something and I’m off…
“I’m like, ‘No! I’ll knock your front door!’ I’ll knock your front door. Literally, that’s what I love about our game…
“What do you think’s happening tomorrow? We’re going all out. We’re going all out. We ain’t sitting back.
“Now, you might look at me after the game, ‘maybe [you] need to change!’ Then we’ll deal with that question then.
“This is us. This is who I am. This is what the coaching staff are. It’s what the players are. So why not? If it fails, I can sleep.
“I can sleep, but to me, this is what I like, and I hope the fans like it.”
He has seriously impressed in charge of Wales…
Craig Bellamy’s Celtic credentials
Bellamy’s credentials for the job go far beyond the fact that he enjoyed an excellent loan spell at the Hoops in 2005, under Martin O’Neill himself.
He is a driven football obsessive who was also blessed to play under Bobby Robson, Rafa Benitez, Roberto Mancini and Kenny Dalglish.
He has lost just two of his 14 competitive games in charge of Wales, having previously worked alongside Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and Burnley, rejecting the chance to follow him to Bayern Munich.
Prising him away from Wales won’t be easy given the prospect of a home European Championships in 2028, but the club would be daft not to try.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
