Martin O’Neill is in the dugout right now, returning for the second time after the mess left by Wilfried Nancy.
But whilst O’Neill fixes Celtic’s issues for the here and now. The powers that be also have to look towards the summer.
It was clear as day, as soon as Celtic sacked Nancy, that Dermot Desmond was going to pick up the phone to O’Neill once again.
Nonetheless, the Open Goal panel discussed the possibility of Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou being in the Celtic dugout next season.
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou as Celtic manager?
Celtic love left-field choices. Ange Postecoglou was a mighty success, and the Nancy reign was one of the worst ever.
But speaking on Open Goal, the likes of Si Ferry, Derek Ferguson, Gordon Dalziel and Paul Slane admitted they were surprised that Celtic didn’t possibly look at Jens Berthel Askou after Nancy.
Even though Askou has only been in the Motherwell hotseat for six months, he is earning plaudits left, right and centre.
Motherwell are fourth in the Premiership table, ten points behind leaders Hearts, as Dalziel thinks Celtic didn’t push for Askou after Nancy because O’Neill was the ‘safe pair of hands.’
The panel lauded the Danish coach’s style of play and how it has impressed ‘everybody’ in Scotland, and how his appointment at Celtic for next season is ‘staring you in the face.’
Ferry: “The problem is you don’t know what he is doing, this boy (Jens Berthel Askou). He can change it again. What do you work on? He changes it every week. I love him. Genius. Are you surprised Celtic never went for him?”
Slane: “Aye.”
Derek Ferguson: “Kind of aye. In a way, because he is there, isn’t he? It wouldn’t cost them a hell of a lot of money, I wouldn’t imagine. I don’t know what he is on at Motherwell.
“But you wouldn’t imagine it is out of reach for Celtic. Sometimes, if it’s there. The opportunity is to go and get him. Go and get him.”
Ferry: “Why do you think they haven’t then?”
Dalziel: “Because I think Martin O’Neill was a safe pair of hands. It appeases the fans. Tries to bring everyone back together. I totally understand it. See if Martin O’Neill hadn’t been in the equation. I know that he has only been in Scotland for six months, but he has impressed everybody with the way he goes about his business and his tactics.
“How has he got a tune out of all those players. Seven changes. Five changes. No changes. Everybody knows their job.”
Ferry: “Anyone else for the permanent long-term? Don’t say Bodø/Glimt or the Brugge manager. It has to be the Motherwell manager. Got to be. Staring you in the face. That’s how you want to see Celtic playing.”
Ferguson: “But doesn’t that often happen? Staring you in the face? It’s the easy thing, and you look somewhere else. It will be interesting to see what he would be like with that squad.”
Ferry: “Love to see it.”