With still no announcement on Eddie Howe as the next Celtic manager, reporter Paul Cooney revealed on The Go Radio Football Show that he has spoken to a linked backroom member of Eddie Howe’s staff, Marvin Bartley.
Cooney revealed that he has ‘teased’ Bartley for any hints on the speculation that he is set to take up a role at Parkhead and what he said was quite telling, “We were actually winding up Marvin Bartley a wee bit on Monday because he has been mentioned as potentially being part of the backroom team if Eddie Howe comes in.
“He hasn’t said a word to us. He actually just smiled.”
No confirmation, but also no denial and if Bartley wasn’t approached to become a part of Howe’s backroom team then you would assume he would just come out and deny it.
Over seventy days have now passed since Neil Lennon left Celtic Park and with various high profile names linked and still continue to be linked to the job, the fans are still in the dark and the club seem no further forward in appointing their new man.
As the season draws to close, planning for the Champions League qualifiers should be at the forefront of Celtic’s mind but with the priority STILL to appoint the manager, Hoops fans will be worried that the European campaign could turn out to be yet another disaster before it has even started.
Next season is crucial for automatic Champions League group stage qualification as the winners of the SPFL go straight into the lucrative groups and Celtic fans will be worried that the constant delay of naming the new manager may hinder the preparations for the new season.
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