Celtic’s manager search is causing plenty of debate.
Martin O’Neill’s interim spell could’ve been a lot worse. Many have noted improvements that he and Shaun Maloney have implemented in a side who had been tough to watch at times.
Dermot Desmond faces a decision, with the opportunity to make a change in the last international break until March.
Kjetil Knutsen, Wilfried Nancy and Kieran McKenna are some of the leading current contenders who could take the place of O’Neill.
But for Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist, there is an option closer to home who could succeed O’Neill at the end of the season.
Steve Clarke backed to become Celtic manager at the end of the season
Steve Clarke has been linked with the Hoops job before, and there have been rumours of the club interviewing him in the past.
Similarly to Brendan Rodgers, he was previously an assistant coach at Chelsea, but Hoops fans will know him best for his spells at Kilmarnock and, of course, the Scottish National Team.
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His time in charge of the Tartan Army has seen some incredible highs, such as back-to-back qualifications for the Euros.
But performances at those tournaments, and in certain others, have still faced strong criticism. His contract at Hampden runs out after the World Cup next summer.
Brazil has the idea, which would see O’Neill in charge until the end of the season before Clarke takes over.
He said on TalkSPORT Breakfast: “There’s one for you, Celtic. Let Martin keep it until the end of the season, then after the big tournament, Stevie Clarke, Celtic.”
McCoist concurred: “That wouldn’t be daft. That wouldn’t be daft.”
Clarke would be familiar with Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor and James Forrest among others should he make the move to Celtic Park.
But given his mixed reputation among Scotland fans, it certainly wouldn’t be a unanimously welcomed appointment.
Other ‘outsider’ Celtic manager candidates
Frank McAvennie wants Roberto Mancini at Celtic, and expressed his disbelief that the Italian hasn’t been approached.
Lee Carsley, who is also currently in international management, has also been raised as a possibility. The ex-Ireland international has seen immense success in charge of England Under-21s and took temporary charge of their senior team last year.
Damien Duff, who worked as an assistant to Rodgers and Neil Lennon, has been backed by some after delivering a historic title at Shelbourne.
Nancy himself is an outsider candidate, but finds himself as the current favourite in the media.
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