Former Rangers player must be considered for Celtic job

Ange Postecoglou has now officially left Celtic and as fans, we have all got a variety of feelings about the way it has unfolded and what happens next. A variety of names have been thrown up as possible candidates for the Parkhead vacancy. And perhaps a former Rangers player could be in the running as well.

There has already been considerable debate about who should be the next manager at Celtic. Initially there was a strong view that as a former Rangers player, Kevin Muscat, could not be a serious candidate for the role.

But as the days have passed, that feeling seems to be changing a bit. And it looks like a good portion of the support would not be bothered by Muscat’s Rangers past.

Our Twitter poll, which received 698 votes, showed that a significant 47.3 per cent of fans do not see an issue with Celtic potentially going after Muscat.

Former Rangers player must be considered for Celtic job

While just over half did see a problem, perhaps that view is changing even more now. There are signs that the manner of Postecoglou’s departure along with Muscat’s own excellent coaching credentials could make him a real possibility. There’s a growing demand from Celtic fans for the next manager to meet two key criteria.

Firstly to be absolutely right for the role on his managerial and coaching credentials. And secondly, avoid ensuring there’s a potential personal connection or the ‘has to be a Celtic man’ thinking.

Based on those two key criteria Muscat could be an almost perfect fit. He has been following in Postecoglou’s shoes in many ways in his coaching career.

Muscat worked with the former Celtic boss for the Australia national team, then replaced him at Melbourne Victory before doing so again at Yokohama F. Marinos when Postecoglou moved to Glasgow.

There is a slight blip in his career with a poor six months at Belgian side, Sint-Truiden, in 2020. Otherwise, he has been excellent.

Muscat has continued the same style of high pressing, fast paced, intense football and led both Melbourne Victory and Yokohama F. Marinos to league titles. Why not a third succession, this time in Glasgow?

Muscat only played a handful of matches during his stint with the Rangers, so his time and history there is pretty short. And hopefully, it will be overlooked by most Celtic fans, if he did end up at Parkhead.