Former Celtic striker Dion Dublin has backed two managers as possible replacements for Martin O'Neill. The veteran boss is likely to step aside at the end of the season, having only signed a one-year deal as permanent boss.
Now, there is a one year extension option built into the deal, but that will only be activated if O'Neill wants to stay on and Celtic want him to stay.
But O'Neill spoke about concerns about taking on the day-to-day Celtic operations full-time due to being 74 years of age, and he has already missed a game this season due to a health issue. We cannot surmise anything from that, especially because we don't know the nature of the health issue, but there is an obvious reality that running a professional football club of Celtic's size is not easy at that age.
That means that as far as a permanent stay goes, this could be a one and done mission for O'Neill, who has repeatedly spoken about how he wants to leave the squad for hus successor.
The question then becomes, who can replace O'Neill? The veteran boss is a club legend who will leave big shoes to fill.
“There isn’t anyone who is perfect to replace Martin O’Neill and that’s the problem for Celtic,” Dublin said to Reviant.
“You’ll only find the perfect person once they’re at the club and have proven they can win everything and done everything the way you’d want them to. That’s the issue.
“A lot of people will look at Celtic and say: are you joking? It’s a massive club and a massive job. They fear the size of the football club. They fear the expectations of the football club.
“I want Frank Lampard to stay at Coventry City but he’s the kind of manager from the new generation who wouldn’t be fazed by it.
“What’s up with someone like Sean Dyche at Celtic? I think that might work perfectly for all parties once Martin decides to go and hang his boots up. Sean Dyche is a big character and a very good manager.”
Lampard is currently enjoying life at Coventry City, and time will tell whether he will be able to keep the Sky Blues in the Premier League this season. Meanwhile, Dyche is without a club after a pretty short spell in charge of Nottingham Forest, who have a rather temperamental owner and regularly change managers.
Add us as a preferred source on Google