Celtic have no time to waste on re-build
With the end of the season fast approaching, Celtic's lack of action on appointing a new manager is worrying ahead of European qualifiers and summer re-build.
Nearly a month on from Neil Lennon leaving his position as Celtic manager, after arguably the worst season in the club’s unbroken 133 year history, Celtic fans are still waiting on news of who the new manager will be and with the end of the season fast approaching - it is not the time to dawdle with a re-build job on the cards ahead of pre-season and Euro qualifiers.
You could argue that the lack of action is down to the impending departure of the ‘marmite’ Peter Lawwell on July 1st and the arrival of Scottish Rugby Union exec Dominic McKay to the Chief Executive’s position - but can Celtic wait until then? After all just 19 days later, Celtic will have a UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie to contend with. Qualification for Europe’s premier club competition will be more arduous than seasons gone by and further complacency and a delayed rebuilding job will put next season at greater risk than it is currently.
The club’s failure to show Lennon the door back in October killed 10-in-a-row. Their stalling tactics with the new year review gave Rangers the impetus to strengthen their hold on the league trophy and saw a significant rise in unrest among the Celtic support towards the manager, the players and the board themselves - much to the delight of the huns and their loyal hacks in the media foaming at the mouth over so many negative stories about Celtic on their desk ready to be published.
10 in a row was ripe for the taking and Celtic blew it. I’d argue with anyone who claims that Rangers won the league title - it was gifted to them. It started with the Celtic board’s stance over the five way agreement and their refusal to hold the Scottish FA and the SPFL to account over their dodgy dealings with the new club out of Ibrox. it was followed by the appointment of Lennon on a permanent basis half an hour after winning the treble treble in the showers - throwing numerous CVs into a drawer on the way of emotion. A decision that killed the fans’ celebrations over a monumental achievement. Subsequently wantaway players, the departure of Damien Duff and arrival of Gavin Strachan, horrendous transfer dealings, and the failure to strengthen from a position of power - once again - allowed Rangers to win the title.
The Ibrox side weren’t great, they were simply more consistent on the field - helped by dodgy ‘honest mistake’ refereeing decisions, suspect COVID testing from a facility in Northern Ireland hit with reports of serious failings, and the failure of the Scottish Government, Scottish FA, and the SPFL to hold them accountable for a series of significant breaches of lockdown rules and guidelines - all the while holding other clubs to account to the later of the law.
Celtic blew it from top to bottom, and if we are not careful next season could very well escape us also before it even begins.
Lawwell had far too much power at the club, power afforded to him by the club’s board and shareholders. Dominic McKay must not be afforded the same luxury or we could just see the status quo continuing. A major shakeup behind the scenes must be on the cards - from appointing a Director of Football, to ripping up the current scouting network and rebuilding it from scratch to selling our wantaway stars - and not on the cheap either. This is the one area that Celtic have the upperhand on Rangers - despite a horrendous season - our players are still transfer targets for clubs in the top five leagues in Europe, unlike Rangers players who for the most part have little or no resale value. And those that do, no one is interested in buying - especially at the laughable prices the Ibrox board and their loyal hacks in the press peddle.
Dominic McKay has history and the experience of doing great work at the SRU along with its rebuild, but Celtic fans are more demanding than Scottish rugby fans and he has his work cut out for him as we look to secure our dominance over Scottish football once again and challenging in European competitions.
If we are to wait until the 1st July for McKay to take over the mantel as chief executive then he needs to hit the ground running with the appointment of a Director of Football and manager the same week - there is no ifs and buts. It needs to be made otherwise we can kiss goodbye to European football.
Celtic cannot afford another project manager, it cannot afford a cheap appointment. It has to be the right appointment. An experienced appointment. A top class manager that will entice key players to stay, attract quality to the club, and give the fans faith in their club once more.
The fans faith in the club has been seriously damaged this season and if the appointment of a manager and Director of Football continues to be delayed then the board could very well see season ticket renewal uptakes dramatically decrease.
Time to pull the finger out Celtic, there’s no time to fanny about.
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