Who can it be now..Part 1

Last time i played this “Who will the Boss of Celtic be next season game, well to be honest  it looks like everybody lost.

I admit, i may have influenced Peter The Pockets with this nugget of wisdom:

International Bright Young Thing Its a new dawn in the manager world, Klopp, Simeone and Rodgers are showing that new young ideas might just be the way forward. Could Celtic look to recruit some young buck with fresh new ideas and a Powerpoint Diploma? Could we see Lawwell hop over to La Liga and bring back the next Mauricio Pochettino…..wait hold on….why can’t we just go get him instead?

Im sorry. im really really sorry. But life goes on, so lets consider and look ahead… its July 2016, who do you think will be leading the Celtics plans for next season…Part 1..Celtic Minded Men..

Ronnie Deila At this point of writing the guy is still in the role and its only fair we give him due consideration. At least 1 League title  with another pending and a League Cup. Usually that would be seen as a decent return in 24 months but the reality is the dream of challenging in Europe has turned into a re-occuring nightmare beyond even Neil Gaiman’s imagination. The only way Ronnie could still be in place would be either a: Peter goes and takes John Parkes,  John Collins and John Kennedy with him and Ronnie talks Dermot into letting him have his own team and full control and shows a radical plan compared to last 2 years inertia. b: Everyone else says No, just like Roy Keane did when told Ronnie would be his number 2. c: Time Travel and we all go back to a happier time. Odds: 100/1

Mark McGhee

After Gordon Strachan said no to a return, Peter Lawwells SFA Book of Friends is getting ever so small. McGhee would jump at the chance, if elephants can jump to join the Hoops as Manager. With the Hubble telescopes help we might even be able to see a smile on his face if offered the job. An appointment that would have Celtic fans groaning almost as much as McGhee at a current Fir Park defeat, the Huns would laugh their heads off as no doubt we would then get done for “tapping” a fellow clubs boss. Not as crazy as it sounds given our Boards history and in fairness McGhee has done okay recently with Motherwell but definitely a case of “Youre joking?” said despairing rather than “Youre JOKING!” said intriguingly  by any and all fans. Odds 10/1

John Collins The Murdo McLeod to Ronnies Wim Jansen anyone?

Place your bets: Will John fall on his sword if Ronnie walks away or will he suggest a chat to Pete on how he is the man to turn this all around. The 6 pack is looking like extremely flat Budweiser Lite these days and again the Celtic fans would be aghast at the Board taking such an option but lets not forget, it was their idea to have Collins as Ronnies number 2 so they were impressed with something wee Wolverine had to offer back then. Odds 50/1

Michael O’Neill Could this be the classic case of “Look at What you could have won?” MI-ON ticked all the boxes for this writer and would have ticked quite a few boxes for the Celtic Board.. Irish, Catholic, International experience,  up and coming, brave, fresh with an appreciation of the demands of a club like ours. Sadly, hes just signed a new 4 year contract with the Northern Irish FA and unlike Walter Smith he is unlikely to fuck off from the National Team with not a penny compensation being demanded let alone paid. Can you picture Dermot saying “Ok, how much, whatever”..nope neither can I.

Looks like one to file under “You had your chance!” and we can just all watch on during the summer as O’Neills impressive rag-taggle band of journeymen play their hearts out ( imagine that passion in the Hoops last Sunday at Hampden!) and take neither riches or reputation into consideration regardless of who they face in France. And yes, The thought of us missing out on being calling MIONIONS also makes me sad ! Odds 20/1

Davie Moyes The man who was brave enough to follow Fergie at Man United before heading over to Spain for a “challenge” is certainly one who could face up to Lawwell and Dermot.

Getting that chance is another thing despite Moyes once saying the Celtic job is one he would want.  Wages and total control is probably beyond our Boards consideration but Moyes would be welcome by many Celtic fans. Seen as a winner, despite not actually ever winning anything of note, Moyes does have a credible Managerial CV but is probably too big to be a true candidate despite our “We are Celtic!” belief. Already throwing his hat into the ring for the Aston Villa position, Moyes will also be a contender for  Newcastle or Sunderland, whichever one doesnt survive the current relegation battle.

True Fact..Moyes once sat beside an Etims Team member at Seville and left him with the comment “Keeper sold it!” which is about as close as we are likely to ever again discuss Moyes and Celtic in a final. Odds 10/1

Brendan Rodgers The Man with the Plan. Often derided for being all Powerpoint and no League Points, Rodgers has been quite quiet since walking away from Anfield. Did a spot of TV Analyst work but hasnt whored himself all over the media which has surprised a few. Cut his  teeth at Chelski, Watford and Swansea and after Liverpool knows the pain of humiliation and would do all he can to avoid another sacking at a big club.

A genuine fan of our Club and a signing where many Celtic fans  would say “interesting” and look forward to his line-ups and 90 page playbooks while there are other Celtic fans who would shudder and pray for a realist remembering his classic comments such as “I’ve always said that you can live without water for many days, but you can’t live for a second without hope.” and the wonderful “It’s not just about training players, it’s about educating players. You train dogs.” Odds 33/1

 MON/Roy Keane/Neil Lennon Im gonna gather this little group together as they are all people we have been told have been discussed in various combinations by the Board. The Initial talk was MON would come back to be a fatherly influence on Roy Keane. Now Keane has, its said already told Lawwell to rammit when told Ronnie would be his number 2 and now we are told Keane, despite being Dermots first choice,  has decided Parkhead is a place that will just have to do without him. If he doesnt change his mind well where does that leave MON?

After the Euros, its felt MON will be happy with a more relaxed role rather than the head honcho position,

Which brings us to Neil Lennon.

We are told hes offered himself for the role but after the last eviction, the Board arent his greatest fans but arent totally dismissing a return in some mode as they know what they would be getting and talk of MON and Neil Lennon Dream team has started to do the rounds.

We live in interesting Times as our Lurgan mole would often say.   Odds 5/1

Others to note

Henrik – I would suggest a pairing of Henrik and his best mate Giovanni Van Brockhurst might be interesting.  Our Hero isnt getting any younger so if the chance does come this time around,  well lets hope he is now ready for the massive step up. Fans would love it initially but it would be a managerial gamble in all honesty.  Odds 10/1

Oweny Coyle – Lawwell still hasnt got over the no thanks on the day WGS resigned and Burnley were promoted so doubtful the Houston phone will be ringing this time around. Odds 100/1

John Hughes – Oor John wouldnt get the main job despite hsi work at Inverness  but given the lack lustre attitude of recent times Hughesy could be a contender as a reliable forceful passionate Number 2 if we appoint someone from distant shores. Odds 50/1

Paul Lambert – Now struggling at Blackburn and reminding us how we might have dodged a bullet a few years ago when he knocked back any Hoops interest. Odds 100/1

Gary Caldwell – Heid is doing well at Wigan and it will probably take another season or so there before he starts attracting interest of bigger clubs. Odds 20/1