If ever there was a story that shows how much English football players are so out of touch with the Scottish game, it is this one. Ex England and Spurs goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, has claimed that Celtic fans would not want Rafa Benitez because his style of football will not excite the fans.
Rafa Benitez is currently out of work after leaving his post with Chinese Super League side, Dalian Professional, in January. The Spaniard automatically became one of the favourites to take over from Neil Lennon. Robinson, speaking to the Football Insider said, “A name like Rafa Benitez would excited Celtic fans, I am sure. He is right at the top of football.
“The only thing would be, the way he sets up his teams. How do Celtic fans want their team to play?
Rafa for the next Celtic gaffer?
YES
NO
“You have got to look at the big picture and how a manager would set the team up. They want to play open, attacking football. They do not want to defend.
“Celtic need to attack the league next year and I am not sure if that would suit Benitez’s style of play.
“A manager of that calibre, of that ilk would excite fans and attract top players. I don’t think you get that with Eddie Howe, a manager who was shown the door at Bournemouth.”
Now yes, I get that Celtic fans want open and expansive football. That’s what we have been brought up to expect but if you are telling me that an experienced manager like Benitez can’t adapt his style with superior players in a smaller league then maybe he isn’t the man for the job.
Or maybe, JUST maybe, Celtic fans (who are some of the most knowledgeable fans in European football) can actually see past this nonsense and would see the bigger picture here. The type of player Benitez could attract, his stature in European football and experience in Europe’s elite would not only see commercial benefits of epic proportions, he would be a bigger signing than Brendan Rodgers ever was.
But hey, maybe Robinson is correct and Celtic supporters would not want a Champions League, two time Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA World Club Cup, La Liga, FA Cup, Copa Italia and two time Super Copa Italia winner as their manager right?
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