You could probably rule Craig Bellamy out of the running to be Celtic’s next manager.
Unless something drastic changes, both from Celtic and Bellamy’s perspective, it doesn’t seem like it will happen despite continued links.
There is probably a section of Celtic supporters who would prefer Bellamy over the much-talked-about target, Robbie Keane.
But during Wales’ recent press conference, Bellamy seemingly suggested that he isn’t ready for club management, even though he ‘understands’ the links, and how he is ‘ambitious’ and ready to earn ‘loads and loads of money.’
That approach from Bellamy was applauded by Simon Jordan on talkSPORT, and how the former striker is fully aware that he has ‘time’ to climb that club management ladder.
“I think he comes across brilliantly in that interview,” said Jordan.
“I think he comes across really, really well. He knows the riches that are available to Premier League managers. He would want to pick his stall as he once did as a player at the very high end of the opportunity.
“He will have ambitions. He is 46. We know he has time.”
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What Celtic-linked Craig Bellamy has said in his latest press conference
It does seem written in the stars that Bellamy will one day become Celtic manager, but it’s right that they aren’t pushing for him now because he isn’t ready.
It will be interesting to see how he fares with Wales going forward because they missed out on qualification to this summer’s World Cup, and he will be under immense pressure to deliver for the next Euros.
Nonetheless, this is what Bellamy had to say about being linked with club managerial roles, including the likes of Celtic, as Jim White alluded to.
White: “Interestingly, Bellamy has reiterated his commitment to the Welsh after revealing he has rejected job offers from club sides.
“He was heavily linked to replace Scott Parker at Burnley. Then there was the school of thought that he would very much be in the running at Celtic, which is now seemingly down to two, between Robbie Keane and Martin O’Neill.”
Bellamy in his press conference: “Links now? I don’t know. I understand it. I don’t look too far into it; that’s the honest truth. I love what I have here.
“Wales gave me this opportunity when one or two might not have. I was conscious because I hadn’t managed before. The word temperament gets used a lot. What’s he going to be like? Is he going to explode? I understand a lot of it.
“I am ambitious, trust me. I am ambitious. I want to earn loads and loads of money, but there is a time. Now at this present moment, it doesn’t feel like that time.”
Simon Jordan impressed by Bellamy’s approach amid club links
As a player, Bellamy was hot-headed and no-nonsense, but he hasn’t shown those same traits from the dugout.
Perhaps it’s an example of the 46-year-old maturing in the game, as Jordan rejected White’s suggestion that the Welshman will become ‘pigeonholed’ into becoming an international manager.
White: “He goes into it in some depth, doesn’t he? The problem there is, can he become pigeonholed into becoming an international manager?”
Jordan: “That’s for him to work out. If he has been linked, there is a distinct possibility that he might have got them. He himself has turned them down, so the answer to that would be no.
“He has obviously worked and got a decent grounding in working under various people in various environments. One of them is the current Bayern Munich manager. He would have picked up a lot there.
“I think he comes across brilliantly in that interview. I think he comes across really, really well. He knows the riches that are available to Premier League managers. He would want to pick his stall as he once did as a player at the very high end of the opportunity.
“He will have ambitions. He is 46. We know he has time.”
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