Celtic could be set to lose one of their first team coaches, and there could be more amid sticky contract talks. The Bhoys took their time in appointing Martin O'Neilll this summer, although it seems O'Neill himself may have been responsible for much of the delay.
The veteran wasn't sure whether he wanted to take the role full-time due to its obvious demands, but he finally decided to stay on following his and the club's double win last season.
But his two trusty assistants are yet to be locked down. Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringam have both reportedly been asked to take pay cuts to stick around despite playing an important role in last season's double.
Coach now set to leave
As far as we know, first team coach Gavin Strachan, who is reponsible for the team's set-pieces, is not part of any contract talks, still under terms, but he is set to be lured away by West Brom this summer.
According to The Herald, Strachan is to be appointed as one of James Marrison's backroom staff at West Brom. The Baggies are looking to turn things around after a rare bottom half finish in the Championship last season.
Strachan is said to have family in the Midlands, and he has previously coached in England with Peterborough United and Doncaster Rovers.
More exits could follow
If they are not careful, Celtic could lose another coach or two if they don't get things right with Maloney and Fotheringham. The pair are crucial to O'Neill, who needs his first team coaches to run daily sessions and pick up other key tasks, given his age,
Naturally, O'Neill will have other options to call upon if he has to, but in Fotheringham and Maloney, he has coaches who already know this team and this squad.
The pair have earned a Celtic stay, especially with O'Neill staying on, and it is insulting to have offered them a stay on reduced terms, if that is the case. Both deserve more respectful offers, and it would be in Celtic's best interests given the opportunitiy they have to ensure complete continuity heading into the new season.
According to The Herald, the two coaches have scheduled a fresh round of talks with Celtic chief Dermot Desmond, and you would have to hope Desmond will put things right by at least offering to match the previous terms the pair were working under.
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