Journalist Michael Gannon has claimed that Steve Clarke would be keen to take charge at Celtic in the summer…
With a decision on the permanent managerial position at Celtic approaching, uncertainty remains over whether Martin O’Neill would be in contention for the job on a full-time basis if the Hoops were to miraculously win the title.
Names such as Robbie Keane, Jens Berthel Askou, and Craig Bellamy have been widely mentioned among the leading candidates by bookmakers. However, Clarke’s ongoing contract with the Scottish FA means a potential move cannot be entirely ruled out.
Gannon believes the Scotland boss would readily seize the opportunity to step into the Celtic role.
While pundits and ex-teammates of Clarke including Pat Nevin and Paul Dickov have also backed the Scotland boss as a strong option, there has yet to be any concrete indication that he is seriously in contention.
Speaking on the Daily Record’s hotline last week, Gannon said: “I think the whole Scotland contract thing is a bit of a red herring. I think [Steve] is sitting down with his come-and-get-me t-shirt. ‘Let’s float the idea that I might stay with Scotland’.”
“In the past, it was ‘I want to do this, and I’m 75-25 I’m off into the sunset’. But maybe the phone hasn’t rang as much at this point in time. And I think Stevie’s sitting like: ‘I want to see my options here. Is there anyone interested that’s maybe near Hampden in the summer? Can we have a chat and we’ll talk about it?’
“I think Steve has been cute. I’m not saying that he would walk away from Scotland, or that he’s desperate for the [Celtic] job… I think he would be, to be honest. I am saying that!”
“It’s just my opinion, but I think Steve will be sitting wearing the come-and-get-me t-shirt at that point, waiting and trying to smoke out some clubs that are maybe interested in a manager for next season, to see what happens. If he doesn’t get any offers then he might want to stay.”
Scotland are in action this evening against Ivory Coast in an international friendly at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Conor Spence
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