Michael Gannon says that Steve Clarke would be ‘desperate’ for the Celtic job this summer.
That’s as the moment for a decision on the permanent Parkhead hotseat draws closer, with uncertainty over whether Martin O’Neill would even consider extending his spell.
Robbie Keane, Jens Berthel Askou and Craig Bellamy are among the bookmakers’ favourites, though Clarke’s contract situation with the Scottish FA leaves a door slightly ajar.
And Gannon thinks that the Scotland manager would jump at the opportunity to manage Celtic.
Steve Clarke to Celtic: yes or no?
Michael Gannon says Steve Clarke would walk away from Scotland to join Celtic
Speaking on the Daily Record’s hotline this week, Gannon said: “I think the whole Scotland contract thing is a bit of a red herring.
“I think [Steve] is sitting down with his come-and-get-me t-shirt. ‘Let’s float the idea that I might stay with Scotland’.
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“In the past, it was ‘I want to do this, and I’m 75-25 I’m off into the sunset’. But maybe the phone hasn’t rang as much at this point in time.
“And I think Stevie’s sitting like: ‘I want to see my options here. Is there anyone interested that’s maybe near Hampden in the summer? Can we have a chat and we’ll talk about it?’
“I think Steve has been cute. I’m not saying that he would walk away from Scotland, or that he’s desperate for the [Celtic] job… I think he would be, to be honest. I am saying that!
“It’s just my opinion, but I think Steve will be sitting wearing the come-and-get-me t-shirt at that point, waiting and trying to smoke out some clubs that are maybe interested in a manager for next season, to see what happens.
“If he doesn’t get any offers then he might want to stay.”
Agree or disagree?
Clarke is one of a number of current international managers being linked with the role, along with Bellamy and Roberto Martinez.
Pundits such as Pat Nevin and Paul Dickov have tipped him for the job, but there is no credible suggestion so far that he is a genuine contender.
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