Celtic are set to appoint Ange Postecoglou as their new manager having missed on a move for Eddie Howe late last month.
The Australian boss is seemingly the only name in the frame, and the Bhoys are hoping to get the deal done soon.
Not everyone is convinced by this move. After all, Postecoglou’s only European job so far was with Panachaiki in Greece’s third tier back in 2008.
Ex-SFA chief executive Gordon Smith really doesn’t seem convinced, and spoke to the Glasgow Times about the imminent appointment.
What has Gordon Smith said about Postecoglou and Celtic?
Former Rangers Smith suggested that this move is a big risk for Celtic, given that Popstecoglou has no experience in Scotland and may not understand the Old Firm pressure.
Smith added that Celtic should be going for Tottenham target Roberto Martinez, highlighting his ties to ex-Celtic ace Shaun Maloney and the fact that he has a Scottish wife.
“There’s been talk this week that former Australia manager Ange Postecoglou is now the main candidate and that Celtic are hoping to tie up the deal by this weekend,” said Smith. “He could turn out to be a very good manager as I would never say that anyone should be decried in advance,” said Smith. “Football management is a strange role and it’s never easy to predict who will be a success or failure. His appointment is a risk though because he’s never played or managed a team in Scotland and will not be aware of the pressure that he’ll have to endure as an Old Firm manager.”
“I still feel that Roberto Martinez would have been the ideal candidate as he’s been a major success with Belgium, he’s played in Scotland, has a Scottish wife and he’d be bringing in former Celt Shaun Maloney as his assistant. This, I feel, gives an immediate positivity to the appointment and I don’t know why Celtic haven’t gone down that line. Or have they?” he added.
Is a move for Martinez realistic?
Probably not.
Sky Sports recently claimed that Martinez has held talks over a move to become Tottenham Hotspur boss.
ESPN then reported that Barcelona want to land Martinez if Ronald Koeman leaves any time soon, with Joan Laporta a big fan.
Celtic are a huge club, but Spurs and Barca are much more appealing jobs right now with the Bhoys in a bit of a mess.
Add in that Martinez has Euro 2020 with Belgium to focus on, and a move to Celtic just doesn’t seem likely at all.
Smith is forgetting about Steven Gerrard
All this talk about a lack of experience in Scotland with Postecoglou, but it didn’t hurt rivals Rangers did it?
Steven Gerrard became their manager in 2018 with absolutely zero senior managerial experience, and he’s just guided Rangers to an unbeaten, title-winning season.
Yes, Postecoglou may need somebody with him who has a knowledge of Scottish football – such as ex-Rangers man Kevin Muscat – but the criticism over his experience may not be all that valid when he’s managed at a World Cup.
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