Celtic should apply a clear rule if they find themselves having to replace Martin O'Neill before the end of the season. The Bhoys still haven't confirmed whether O'Neill is staying on amid uncertainty over his future, and they are unlikely to.
It looks as though O'Neill is staying on despite hints he could walk away if he feels he cannot fix the issues that have led his team to losing three straight games, including two Old Firm fixtures.
Despite that form, Celtic are top of the league and with the majority of their Europa League campaign still ahead of them, so O'Neill was always likely to feel as though there is no need to panic.
If the veteran boss wanted to walk away, it would have been wise to do it early in the international break, and that only adds to why it is unlikely he will leave with only a week or so to go until the Bhoys return to action,
But Celtic have a tough fixture list when they return to action, facing Benfica, Hearts and Celta Vigo after a date with Motherwell, and so it is certainly not out of the question, if things don't go well that O'Neill will leave the club in a few weeks' time.
Celtic must apply clear role to new appointments
if Celtic have to replace O'Neill before the end of the season, they should do so on a temporary basis. You see the names being linked, and whether it's Roy Keane, Sean Dyche or anyone of that ilk, they should not be long-term appointments made during the season.
Mid-season appointments are for managers who can get the job done in the short-term with what they have. Keane and Dyche may fit the bill from that perspective, but can they take this club forward over the coming years? Can they be relied upon to stay put in the long term?
Eddie Howe has been mentioned, which seems a highly likely appointment, and certainly a longer term one, but Celtic are not likely to be able to afford his wage.
Quite frankly, this squad isn't built for any manager to succeed, so bring in a manager who gets you to the end of the season and go from there. If said manager does enough to deserve a longer-term opportunity, then fine. But the Bhoys don't need to be committing to a manager while they don't have a squad that permits long-term success.
But the key point is, Celtic should be the best team in Scotland. They shouldn't need to play gritty, win-at-all-costs football to win the title. They should be aiming to play more expansive football, and that doesn't really apply under O'Neill, who is a short-term appointment.
Their next appointment should be a manager who can take the club forward, who can improve the style of play, and that is too much to ask of a manager who comes in during the season. So, get a manager in to see out the campaign if one is needed, one of those gritty bosses, but ahead of the summer, turn attention to finding a progressive manager who can get this team playing quality football.
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