Paul Hartley has said that Celtic supporters are expecting a marquee appointment after the disappointments of this season. The Cove Rangers manager spoke to The Huddle podcast, saying that he believes that the support will expect a big name, or the Board face increasing pressure about their running of the club.
“I do think the Celtic fans expect a marquee manager now.
“To go and say to the Celtic fans ‘Give us your season ticket money’ without them knowing who the manager’s going to be, it’s going to be very difficult.
“I think they’ve maybe lost the trust in the board.
“And I think to get them back onside I think Dermot Desmond will have to go and get a marquee manager in.
“Now, that’s not easy.
“For me, if Celtic are going to go and get a marquee manager, it will probably be someone out of a job.
“I think the fans have been fed up this season, the criticism the squad’s had, I think they expect a big marquee name in the summer.”
Brendan Rodgers delivered success when he was announced as Celtic boss, two Champions League group-stages as well as seven Trophies out of seven. Rodgers also built the foundations for the Treble Treble before Neil Lennon completed a Quadruple Treble and etched his name into Celtic history. The man to follow on from these two modern greats needs to have a reputation for fast, attacking football and the ability to attract quality players.
Eddie Howe, Rafa Benitez and even Roberto Martinez have been tipped as a permanent successor to Lennon and supporters are eagerly awaiting news, or even suggestions of who the new man in the dugout will be… which the Board hope will drive season ticket sales up.
Hartley signed for Celtic for £1m from Hearts in 2007 and won two league titles, one league cup and one Scottish Cup during his time with his boyhood club. The player would give a dogged determination to the midfield under Gordon Strachan and would help win the title under dramatic circumstances in 2007/08.
Hartley, a Celtic fan growing up, is currently awaiting a return to training with Cove as he looks to get the North East side promoted for a second season in a row into the Championship.
