Commencing their managerial search, Celtic could now reportedly turn towards a candidate who Rangers desperately wanted to hire before welcoming Danny Rohl.
O'Neill reiterates "short term" Celtic stay
Whilst Brendan Rodgers’ sudden exit is far from ideal, Martin O’Neill isn’t exactly a bad option to steady the ship. The experienced manager has arrived on an interim basis and will be in charge of the Bhoys’ next league game against Falkirk and then their crucial Old Firm derby in the Scottish League Cup semi-final this weekend.
Despite some suggestions that he could impress enough to complete a permanent return to the dugout, however, O’Neill has reiterated that he is merely keeping the seat warm at Celtic Park.
“It’s short term. Celtic are probably stunned at the news Brendan left. They are obviously seeking a permanent manager, so it’s a short-term fit.
“Interim does mean interim. It’s as simple as that. Celtic are looking for, I assume, a young coach with proven ability. We want to pull the club forward now.
“Naturally, I had a super time at Celtic, it was a privilege. I can’t emphasise enough, it’s short term until a permanent manager is appointed. I’ll just keep the seat warm.”
As the interim boss attempts to steady what has been an incredibly rocky ship as of late, Celtic must commence their managerial search away from the action on the pitch.
They’ll be desperate to avoid the chaos that Rangers have just endured before hiring Rohl. Their Old Firm rivals were rejected twice before finally landing a permanent manager and Celtic must avoid following in their footsteps at all costs.
Instead, they could even look to get one over on those at Ibrox by hiring a manager that they desperately wanted before Rohl.
Kevin Muscat emerges as early Celtic candidate
According to The Daily Record, Kevin Muscat is now a wildcard candidate for the Celtic job and is one of several options that the Bhoys could yet turn towards.
The 52-year-old only just rejected Rangers amid concerns over the 49ers’ setup and his own desire to complete his job of winning the Chinese Super League with table-toppers Shanghai Port, but that may not stop Celtic.
It would be an incredible blow for their rivals if they managed to get the job done that the 49ers otherwise failed. Whether Muscat, a former Rangers player, will be keen to take the Celtic job remains to be seen, however.
In many ways, he is an ideal candidate. The manager has followed a similar path to Ange Postecoglou, who he assisted in the early stages of his career, and his record speaks for itself.
Muscat has won the Australian A-League twice, the Super Cup and league title in Japan, and is on course to win the Chinese Super League in the current campaign.
His Rangers links would increase the pressure to succeed at Celtic, but his recent decision to reject the Gers may just be enough to get those at Parkhead onside.
