Reported Celtic managerial target wanted Rangers job in 2015

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Carlos Carvalhal is reportedly desperate to replace interim manager Neil Lennon at Celtic this summer, despite having talks with Rangers in the summer of 2015 before Mark Warburton was hired.

The Scottish Sun have claimed that the former Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday boss is looking to add Scotland to his managerial clout, by taking over at Celtic.

The 53-year-old has managed a whole range of clubs in Portugal, Asteras Tripoli in Greece, Turkish giants Besiktas and then Swansea and Wednesday. Now, he could add the Scottish champions to the list.

It is believed that Carvalhal has contacted officials at Celtic to make his pitch, but the Celtic board will be interested to know his comments over the managerial candidacy at Rangers four years ago.

Before Warburton was hired, Carvalhal stated that he met with Rangers chiefs in London, but he only picked Sheffield Wednesday because they were quicker with their approach for the Portuguese boss.

He told TalkSPORT, as quoted by the Sun, in September 2018: “I was in London speaking to the people from Rangers and I was talking to Sheffield Wednesday. It was a question of time. Wednesday came quickest.

“I was very excited (about the prospect of managing Rangers). If I was there I am sure we could have done very good work. But they are in very good hands (with Gerrard).”

TBR’s view

Sunday’s Old Firm derby showed just how much it meant to Rangers to get one over Celtic, despite the match meaning absolutely nothing in terms of league position or standing.

So, hiring a manager that has already had talks with the Rangers job – and describing them as “very exciting” – will surely be something rather difficult to overcome for the Celtic board,

Carvalhal would be an excellent appointment and his knowledge of Portuguese football could see Celtic unearth some gems. But whether fans can get over his comments about Rangers, remains to be seen.