Celtic’s search for a new manager has now been dragging on for a couple of weeks after Neil Lennon left his post.
After much scrutiny and protest, the Northern Irishman finally resigned just over two weeks ago. It has left John Kennedy in temporary charge of the Bhoys, but his tenure has hardly got off to the best of starts.
The Hoops have surrendered their grasp on the SPFL title to Rangers and their 0-0 draw with Dundee United was everything that summed up their season. They were exposed at the back and not clinical enough going forward.
To solve their woes, a number of managers have been linked with the vacant hot seat. Frank Lampard and Rafa Benitez were some of the first names mentioned but now the latest name doing the rounds is Chris Wilder.
The Englishman left Sheffield United last week and could now move to Glasgow.
That being said, they have suffered a blow in their bid to lure another highly-rated coach to Paradise. Ralf Rangnick was a man that many Celtic supporters wanted at Parkhead. That came after Derek Rae revealed that he’d have to be enthralled by the project at the club in order to join.
Did you want Rangnick at Celtic?
Definitely
No thanks
However, he now looks set to move to Schalke. The 62-year-old has reportedly held conversations with the Bundesliga outfit over a sporting director role. This comes at the same time that he’s been linked with the Germany job.
This is news that should come as a huge frustration to Dermot Desmond and the Celtic board. Irrespective of whether he was a genuine or realistic target, he could have offered a great deal to the Bhoys.
We’ve waxed lyrical on Football FanCast about Rangnick’s qualities and he could have solved a number. First and foremost, he is a revolutionary manager and director.
The former Leipzig boss created the modern-day press; the desire to win the ball back within a matter of seconds of losing it.
Secondly, he led a very intriguing transfer strategy at Leipzig. He made it the club’s mission to sign players specifically under the age of 23. This would have been highly beneficial for a Celtic side who have failed to give younger players an opportunity in recent years.
Cameron Harper has already left for the USA as a result of a lack of minutes while Karamoko Dembele and Armstrong Oko-Flex look set to see out their contracts which expire in the summer.
In short, Rangnick could have changed the mentality at Parkhead for the greater good. The German boss was one of the most eye-catching names linked with the Celtic post, but instead, Desmond will now be tearing his hair out as he searches for alternatives.
AND in other news, Soro should be fuming if Celtic sign £50k-p/w brute this summer, he’s a “class player”…