Report: Celtic want manager that Steven Davis labelled 'one of the best'
Football website 90Min have claimed that Celtic are keen on hiring Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill as he continues to work wonders at the Britannia Stadium – following last week’s resignation of Neil Lennon.
Lennon decided to jump ship before Rangers confirmed they had won the Scottish Premiership title, with the Gers now just four points away from winning the title – having beaten Livingston 1-0 on Thursday night.
O’Neill took over at Stoke after a stunning spell as Northern Ireland boss, and helped the Potters avoid relegation from the Championship last season – taking them up to a respectable 15th. This season, they have improved further.
The report claims Celtic looked at O’Neill before appointing Brendan Rodgers in 2016, and Nick Hammond considered O’Neill at West Brom. Rangers midfielder Steven Davis had this to say about O’Neill in April 2020:
“I think he’s got to be up there with the best managers we’ve had,” Davis said, as per the GET. “For me personally I can’t speak highly enough of him for what he’s done for me and my international career and the whole country.”
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TBR’s view – O’Neill would be a stunning appointment
But can Celtic tempt him with a move north of the border? Well, Wednesday night’s loss to Swansea – which came after a 96th-minute penalty and a 2-1 loss – sees Stoke sit in 11th, 10 points off the play-offs.
The chances of making the top six and potential promotion is unlikely. So, if Celtic were to move for O’Neill, surely he would be tempted? He has a contract with the Potters until the summer of 2023. It is a no-brainer.
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