Well, it’s another international break. They come around so quickly, don’t they? Often, they can be a bit boring without club football and with many players away with their national teams. For a change, this one may be a welcome break for Celtic fans. It’s looking like a critical two weeks for the club. That’s in terms of players and the vacant manager position.
The squad isn’t just a bit thin these days; it’s getting quite bare. With the lack of decent summer signings, and now a flurry of injuries, Martin O’Neill is having to dig deep to field players. The break gives them time for a rest, some recuperation, and recovery.
The players away on international duty are always an injury concern, too. There was great news for Johnny Kenny with his Ireland call-up. O’Neill may see that with a wary eye as centre forwards are already in low numbers in his available squad. He won’t want injury news about the Irishman, or anybody else, for that matter.
The big question marks are about the new manager. Can Celtic finalise a deal during this break period? Is there time to get a new manager in before the next phase of matches kicks off in Paisley against St Mirren on November 22? Obviously, that all depends on who is selected to fill the post.
Celtic board need to take decisive action and communicate openly
The fans seem to understand that it may take time for a new manager to arrive. There’s plenty of talk about O’Neil continuing his partnership with Shaun Maloney into the new year, perhaps even to the season's end. Despite all the background unrest, there is some degree of patience on the terraces for this appointment. But that's only if the board makes an inspiring choice for the next boss.
The fans will wait a few weeks for the likes of Kjetil Knutsen to arrive, if it’s to see out his contract to the end of December. Or possibly into January if stories about wanting to complete Bodo/Glimt's Champions League campaign are true. They’ll accept and understand if O’Neill and Maloney are extended for a further defined period, but will want to understand why. On the other hand, a delay for a less welcome choice as manager won’t go down well at all. The news of Wilfried Nancy emerging as a candidate has many fans concerned.
Communication hasn’t been a strong point of late between the board and fans. If an appointment isn’t imminent or can’t be announced, then some form of update is essential. But it needs to be more than just an interim manager extension with no reason or explanation. or even worse, just silence.