Appointing a new manager really should come down to their ability to coach the team and to get results on the pitch, but there are some other things that should be considered.
There have been suggestions that Celtic are lining up Roy Keane and Nicky Butt to take over in the summer, and it’s fair to say there’s been plenty of negativity about that – and rightfully so.
It’s still trying to look at some positives in the situation, and you would need to hope that this would open up some opportunities to sign some talented youngsters from Man United.
The last thing you want to see is Celtic become a feeder club where they simply develop players for an other club and ignore their own youth development, but there could be some interesting signings which could be made here.
In the scenario that Keane and Butt get the job, here’s a look at some Man United players who could benefit from a season or two at Celtic Park:
Axel Tuanzebe – Centre back
The United youth product has been spoken about as a big talent for a while, but he turned 23 at the end of last year and he’s starting to reach a point where he needs to play some regular first team football.
He has featured in 14 games this season but only six of those were in the league, while Celtic do need to improve at the back and he looks like he has everything about his game to succeed.
He’s quick but also physical and strong in the air so he should be able to deal with any threat, while he’s also decent on the ball and he’s more than capable of bringing it out of defence when given the time.
He’s the kind of player who could lead to something longer term as it’s now likely that he won’t every make the grade at Old Trafford, so this would make a lot of sense.
Brandon Williams – Left back/centre back
Williams is primary a left back who can also fill in all across the back line, but his development has been stunted by the resurgence of Luke Shaw and the arrival of Alex Telles.
We have to presume that Diego Laxalt will return to AC Milan in the summer and it’s hard to see Bolingoli getting another go, so someone is needed to challenge Greg Taylor and Williams would come in with plenty of promise to be an impressive addition.
He’s a tenacious defender who isn’t as strong going forward but a season at Celtic would allow him to develop that side of his game, while he’s also effective as the left sided CB in a three due to his ability to step out of defence with the ball.
He still looks to have a long term future at Old Trafford so this couldn’t be anything more than a loan move, but again he’s a good player who would fill an obvious need.
James Garner – Midfield
There’s going to be an issue next season where any central midfielder that arrives at Celtic Park is going to be touted as the successor to Scott Brown, but it will be a team effort to make up for his departure and it’s possible that no like-for-like replacement will actually be found.
Garner has been on the verge of the United first team for a while now without breaking through, but he’s played plenty of games on loan in the Championship this season.
He’s an intelligent user of the ball so he should be an asset in games where Celtic dominate the ball against a lesser opponent, but time will tell if he’s good enough defensively in Europe.
It’s likely that a more experienced option will be added in midfield and Soro will take this role, but Garner is another option in there.
Amad Diallo – Forward
This would be the dream loan signing and he might be too close to the first team at Old Trafford for that to happen, but he’s still young and inexperienced so playing every game might benefit him for a season.
He’s got bags of skill and ability so you can easily see him tearing the Premiership up from either wing, while he’s also shown he can perform in Europe after his goal against AC Milan recently so he would be a huge player for a season if he did arrive.
One of Celtic’s biggest issues this season has been that too many players have gone missing and waited for someone else to dig them out when the going gets tough, but Diallo always wants to get on the ball and make things happen so that could also inspire those around him.
The problem is that a lot of money was spent on him and there’s a clear place for him in the United side, but that could change if they throw some more money around in the summer.
Tahith Chong – Forward/winger
A loan move for Chong could be much more likely than signing Amad Diallo, especially after he’s struggled to break into the United team and a loan move at Werder Bremen didn’t work out at all.
He’s having a better time in Belgium with Club Brugge, but there’s still no suggestion that he’s going to be a regular first team option when he returns in the summer.
His hair will likely make him an instant cult figure but he’s got some pace and magic in his left foot which could be a weapon in the team, while he can play anywhere across the attacking midfield area so that versatility will open up more options.
His four assists in five games in Belgium suggest he could be highly productive next year if he gets a whole season for a loan move and some pre-season time to settle in, while again this could lead to something more permanent in the future if he leaves Old Trafford.
