The ex-Celtic attacker can’t see Roberto Martinez coming to Parkhead.
Charlie Nicholas has told The Daily Express that he’d be ‘astonished’ if Celtic hire Roberto Martinez.
The former Everton manager has emerged as favourite to be named as Brendan Rodgers’s long-term successor at Parkhead.
Neil Lennon has replaced Rodgers on an interim basis at Celtic, but Nicholas added earlier today that he doesn’t feel that the Northern Irishman should get the job long term.
Rodgers was a big-name appointment by the Hoops back in 2016, but the former Celtic and Arsenal star does not believe that Martinez – currently the manager of Belgium – is a realistic candidate to come to Glasgow.
He told The Daily Express: “There’s been a bit of gossip about Belgium boss Roberto Martinez being in the frame, along with his assistant, Shaun Maloney. I’d be astonished if that was to happen.
“Celtic fans will say it’s realistic because the Hoops board pushed the boat out for Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers was a big name on big money but he needed Celtic as much as Celtic needed him.
“I’m not sure Martinez needs Celtic as much as they need him.”
Lennon probably isn’t completely out of the running.
If Celtic beat Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final this weekend at Hampden and go on to win the competition – and Treble Treble – then it seems like there’s a chance that they could re-hire their former manager.
Then again, the Bhoys might want to go in a new direction entirely and if Martinez is that direction, a lot of fans wouldn’t mind seeing Lennon be dismissed, given the Spaniard’s clout.
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