Celtic’s managerial situation has changed abruptly.
The Hoops board have gone from preparing to lose Brendan Rodgers at the end of the season to installing Martin O’Neill as his interim replacement.
Rodgers’ resignation came completely from the blue after the Hoops lost 3-1 against Hearts at Tynecastle.
Dermot Desmond’s scathing statement took Scottish football by storm, and highlighted just how damaged their relationship had become.
And for Talksport insider Alex Crook, the Hoops’ search for a permanent manager could be taking care of itself.
Shaun Maloney Celtic manager theory floated in Martin O’Neill succession plan
It’s well-known that O’Neill focuses more on the man-management side of his roles, delegating the coaching side to his assistants.
The appointments of Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, who have both been managers, to his Celtic backroom staff explain this.
READ MORE: Barry Ferguson makes Martin O’Neill stance clear as Celtic critics ‘need their head looked at’
Maloney has spent time in charge of Hibernian and most recently Wigan, where he stabilised the Latics in the wake of financial turbulence and points deductions.
Sam Matterface, Scott Minto and transfer expert Alex Crook were discussing the Celtic manager situation on TalkSPORT on Friday, and the possibility of Maloney being the main man long-term.
Matterface said on O’Neill: “He’s brilliant at absorbing some of that pressure. You saw him in his post-match interview on Wednesday night.
“He was talking about how he suffered with a bit of anxiety, ‘I’m not this,’ ‘I’m not that’. Being a bit self-deprecating to take some of that pressure away and take the limelight away from the players.
“I thought it was a smart move as well, taking Shaun Maloney with him. Obviously a coach who’s been very highly rated in European circles and international football.
“Someone who’s young, hungry and schooled in modern methods.
Minto interjected: “Who may well be manager at some point in the future. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Crook added: “That’s not a terrible shout, if Martin O’Neill does stay in interim charge until the end of the season and Maloney can learn his trade under the master.”
Who are the current candidates for permanent Celtic manager?
Ange Postecoglou was seen as the early favourite to replace Rodgers permanently, but reports now suggest that he isn’t likely to come back to Paradise.
Kieran McKenna is an option for Celtic, and has not ruled out a potential move to Glasgow from Ipswich. There are major financial hurdles in place with his long-term contract at the Tractor Boys.
Craig Bellamy was a long-term target for the club, but the timing of Rodgers’ departure renders him unavailable, with Wales’ World Cup qualification campaign ongoing.
Robbie Keane, Kjetil Knutsen and Wilfried Nancy are all in the frame too.
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