Gordon Strachan isn't what Celtic need; Hoops must look to the long-term

The Celtic supporters aren’t having the prospect of Gordon Strachan returning to take over as manager anytime soon.

Speaking on the Transfer Window Podcast, journalist Ian McGarry said that he’s been told Celtic would likely go for a former manager should they sack Neil Lennon:

“We have been told that if Celtic were to make a change, it would most likely be a former manager or even player who manages to come in as they would understand immediately what is at stake

“Gordon Strachan is one name that has been mentioned. Obviously he had a successful spell managing Celtic already, he certainly knows the culture and the club inside out.”

Strachan was brought to the club after Martin O’Neill’s departure in 2005. Strach managed to secure a terrific three-in-a-row success during his spell in Scotland, and also managed to qualify for the last-16 of the Champions League on two occasions.

The former Scotland boss also managed a host of historic European nights in Glasgow too. Wins over the likes of Manchester United, AC Milan, and Benfica particularly stand out, whilst he also managed to hold the former two to a stalemate in alternative meetings.

However, despite Strachan’s success, much of the criticism aimed towards him during his stint here was down to the style of football played. Typically going with a two-striker system, the then Celtic boss was a massive fan of the long-ball game.

How often can you remember Stephen McManus passing to Gary Caldwell only for him to aim long for Jan Venegoor of Hesselink? Strachan made his Celtic team generally difficult to beat in Europe, but domestic performances were always a concern with his teams so one-dimensional. There was a particular regression in the final 18 months too, resulting in Celtic losing the league in 2008/09 despite being seven points clear at one stage.

What the Celtic fans are really craving is a return to Premier League standards. Perhaps we won’t find a manager as progressive as Brendan Rodgers was when he arrived, but there are so many more alternatives to Strachan that instantly look like a better fit.

Eddie Howe, Dan Petrescu, Marco Silva, Ralf Rangnick – these are four potential options that are surely more suited to what we want for the long-term than what Strachan would provide.

This idea that we need a safe pair of hands has to be dismissed. They just don’t exist and it’s cliche nonsense at its best. Lennon’s players are Lennon’s players, there’s not much Strachan can put in place that would majorly turn things around so instantly.

Celtic have to be looking at a long-term approach to things when Lennon departs – regardless of when that may be. And it’s clear the fans aren’t quite having the prospect of Strachan returning to Parkhead either:

I will literally have a meltdown if Lennon is replaced with Martin O’Neill or Gordon Strachan. The club needs to let go of this idea that the best possible candidates are people that have been around and know the club. Lets not have another disaster please.

— . (@_RH88_) November 30, 2020

Gordon Strachan hasn’t managed at club level for 10 years. He had a decent run in his first qualifying campaign managing Scotland but was poor in his second qualifying group.

— Marc McArdle (@marcmcardle1) November 30, 2020

If Gordon Strachan comes back it just goes to show the board went into their phone contacts and scrolled with their eyes closed until they landed on somebody

— Adam Lynch (@AdamLynch27) November 30, 2020

I’d have Ronny Deila back ahead of Gordon Strachan.

If Strachan had any role at the club it should be to replace Lawwell as the de facto director of football.

— stephen r (@cardiffbhoy) November 30, 2020

Gordon Strachan's first 18 months at Celtic were fantastic but the decline in the next 30 months was spectacular, the team he left barely resembled anything remotely like that first year & a half, if Desmond/Lawwell think he's the answer then it's a complete dereliction of duty.

— Inside The SPFL (@AgentScotland) November 30, 2020

Gordon Strachan hasn’t been involved with club management for 10 years

If Lennon was a step back when he got the job full time then I can’t even begin to describe how bad a move that would be for Celtic if the rumours of them pursuing him are true

— daniel gearie (@danielgearie) November 30, 2020

If Gordon Strachan is the answer then I don’t see the point in sacking NL….
Going down that route we’d be better off just bringing GS in to work alongside NL🤷🏼‍♂️
If NL goes we need to be looking at a couple of steps up in quality to replace him IMO🍀

— Dom CFC67🍀9️⃣🏆🍀 (@Shiv1888) November 30, 2020

Gordon Strachan short term Hahaha please no, clear the decks, get a youthful management/coaching structure in and get an identity of play before the summer and push to win the league again next summer for me, 10 is gone

— John Wood (@johnrw1979) November 30, 2020

For me its a no to gordon strachan, lets not go back. He had his time and done well for some reason some supporters dont like him either

— 90sBhoy 🇳🇬 (@90sbhoy) November 30, 2020

In other news, we discuss why Neil Lennon needs to replicate the exit of a former Celtic manager.