It’s now been two weeks since Brendan Rodgers left Celtic.
Rodgers’ abrupt resignation shocked the club, coming completely from the blue. Just as out of the blue was Martin O’Neill’s sensational return on an interim basis.
O’Neill was joined by Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham and Stephen McManus in an unlikely coaching staff which has led the Hoops over the last four games.
Their first week couldn’t have gone better with wins over Falkirk and Rangers, and after a poor European defeat last week was followed up with victory on Sunday, there are now questions over whether O’Neill’s spell will outlast the upcoming international break.
For Simon Jordan, there is no need for the Hoops to rush with a ‘brilliant’ candidate already in the dugout.
Simon Jordan on Brendan Rodgers and interim Celtic boss Martin O’Neill
O’Neill has remained coy on the permanent job, insisting that he does not expect anything from Dermot Desmond.
The club are sounding out candidates regardless, with O’Neill saying that he expects a ‘young and upcoming’ coach to come in.
READ MORE: Luke McCowan is ‘scared’ of Martin O’Neill as Celtic man jokes about playing it cool
Speaking on TalkSPORT with Jim White, Jordan was questioned on the managerial situation at Celtic Park, after the gap at the top of the league table was reduced at the weekend.
Jordan thinks the Hoops should be reluctant to replace O’Neill – he also had a dig with a new nickname for Rodgers.
He said: “Have they got a wonderful, stand-out candidate that they must have?
“And that ticks all the boxes, and they’ve done their due diligence, and they’re entirely confident that he’s the way forward. If they haven’t, what’s the rush?
“You’ve got somebody in that the fans are responding to. More importantly, the players are responding, even though they got beat in the Europa League in midweek game – but that’s the nature of the beast.
“They’re winning the games that they previously weren’t, there’s a general feeling of wellbeing around the club after they got rid of Toxic Ted and his Honda Civic.
“So with all that in mind, what’s the hurry? If you’ve got a brilliant candidate.”
With an international break now upon us, it’s over to Celtic to see if they ramp up their search for a new manager.
Current state of play with Celtic’s managerial search
Kjetil Knutsen is the candidate being spoken about most for the Hoops at the minute. Knutsen has discussed the Celtic links, insisting that he will only leave Bodo/Glimt for something ‘more exciting’.
Wilfried Nancy also remains in the running, and had his season ended this weekend after losing to Cincinnati in the MLS play-offs.
For most other candidates, it’s all gone quiet. We haven’t been hearing any updates on Robbie Keane or Kieran McKenna.
What we do know is that it won’t be Craig Bellamy or Ange Postecoglou, with neither manager willing to make the move at this moment in time.
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