Celtic’s managerial situation is already taking shape, and the ‘preferred candidate’ is far clearer than it first appears according to Mark Guidi.
With Martin O’Neill’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Celtic face another managerial race, as Guidi says the preferred candidate points directly to Robbie Keane.
While Guidi admits Celtic like Jens Berthel Askou is also ‘in the frame’ the journalist and pundit says the Hoops really want Keane, and he leads the names to become the new Parkhead boss.
The links are back again… Would you welcome Robbie Keane as Celtic manager?
Tell us why…
Mark Guidi says Robbie Keane is Celtic’s ‘preferred candidate’
Robbie Keane would not be a popular choice among the Celtic fans to become the new Parkhead boss, but Guidi says that he is ahead of everyone else in the race for the Parkhead top job.
Guidi told The Go Radio Football Show, “The next manager, if it’s not to be Martin O’Neill, if he’s not to be offered the chance to stay on it, and I think he deserves the opportunity to be asked if he would like to stay on another year.
“If it’s not to be him, I think [Jens Berthel Askou] will be in the conversation. But I don’t think Askou will get it. I do believe Robbie Keane would be the preferred candidate.
“I think Robbie Keane is the preferred candidate if he doesn’t end up at Spurs. I think it could well happen.
“Askou is in the frame, but I think Keane may well be ahead of him in the pecking order.”
Keane was linked to Spurs back in February as he continued to work wonders with Ferencvaros in the Europa League.
Martin O’Neill represents continuity but not priority for Celtic
There is a clear acknowledgement that Martin O’Neill deserves the opportunity to stay on, but that framing matters.
His record at Celtic over two interim spells shows he still has what it takes to manage a top club.
However, it positions him as a respected option rather than the leading one, which underlines that Celtic are not building their plans around his continuation.
Jens Berthel Askou’s position confirms Celtic’s shortlist limits
Jens Berthel Askou being mentioned shows he is firmly within consideration, and with his record in his first season at Motherwell, it would be foolish for Celtic not to consider him.
Askou has the Fir Park club punching above their weight in the SPFL and there must be some thinking within the Parkhead boardroom that if he can take Motherwell to fourth in the Scottish Premiership table, what could he do with Celtic’s millions behind him.
Celtic’s decision-making will come under scrutiny
The evidence of the last twelve months points to a club that doesn’t know what direction it wants to go in.
Celtic’s failed appointment of Wilfried Nancy and then asking O’Neill to return on an interim basis twice points to a Parkhead board that is completely rudderless.
Keane looks like he leads the managerial race, with others positioned behind him, but with Celtic fan feeling towards the Ferencvaros boss not exactly glowing, the board are clearly out of touch with the support on this one.
Celtic are searching for clarity, they’ve not had it all season, and everything now depends on whether their leading choice becomes available and it is one that the vast majority of fans do not even want.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
