Celtic are expected to hire a new manager this summer and current manager Martin O’Neill is unlikely to stay on at the end of the season.
Celtic revival: Forrest’s new contract, McInnes backed by shock move
James Forrest doesn’t want to play for anyone other than Celtic – but is happy to focus on winning two goals ahead of contract talks.
The 34-year-old again proved his worth with a key role off the bench as Celtic beat St Mirren 6-2 to reach the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final and is Celtic’s most decorated player with 26 trophies to his name.
“I’ve spoken to the team a few times, but the main thing I always say is that I’ve been here my whole career and I don’t want to play anywhere else,” he said.
“The important thing now is to help the team in the hope that they win the league and we also enter the finals.
“So I made it clear that the important thing is to contribute to the team and then my situation will take care of itself.”
O’Neill asked the board to extend Forrest’s contract beyond the summer after Sunday’s win at Hampden, but the manager himself faces an uncertain future, having suggested he would like to take on an advisory role with the club next season.
That move will leave a void in the dugout, with Clyde Superscoreboard’s Gordon Dalziel left shocked at the suggestion that Derek McInnes could be the man to take over.
A former Rangers player and coach who has enjoyed an undisputed run with the Hoops, Dalziel was left shocked when a caller backed the Hearts boss to move to Glasgow this summer.
“No, it’s not the name I expected to hear, to be honest with you. Look, it’s great… Derek is having a brilliant season. He can go and make history here at Hearts, go and win the league, which would be impressive.”
He added: “He’s got the right club, he’s got the right players, he’s got the right balance and they’re absolutely brilliant in the league. They can go and win this one. Of course they can. But as a Celtic manager? I don’t see that happening really.”
A move for McInnes will certainly be a shock, especially if Hearts can pull off the Old Firm duo’s first title win in 66 years, but who else is in the rumor mill?
Celtic are “definitely” keen to appoint a replacement for O’Neill’s treble-winning 4-3-3.
Hoops focuses on the “extraordinary” manager.
Thomas Frank
Former Tottenham manager Frank is expected to be a hot name on the market this summer, with several English sides also in the hunt for a new manager.
He was in London at the weekend and has been considered by Celtic management, but Champions League football will have to bring him north of the border.
Celtic are now considering the manager who was recently sacked in the UK this weekend
The Hoops are still looking for their next manager forever.
Gordon Strachan
Strachan was asked directly about a return to management this week, but quickly shut down links to a Celtic role.
“I know more about football now than I did before. But I don’t have the anger or drive to do that again. Martin is digging somewhere,” he told TalkSPORT.
The three-time SPL winner admitted he was “very different” when asked about his desire to return.
Jens Berthel Askou
Perhaps the most famous name in the mix is another Dane – Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou.
The 43-year-old looks poised to ascend to one of Scotland’s top two as he guided the Steelmen to a thrilling run in the title race before dropping out in recent weeks.
