Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Hoops legend Petrov: New Celtic boss must hit the ground running
FORMER Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has warned the Hoops’ managerial candidates there is no time for a lengthy rebuild of the Parkhead squad.
Eddie Howe, Roy Keane and Manchester City reserve boss Enzo Maresca remain the frontrunners to replace Neil Lennon.
But whoever takes over is likely to face a massive overhaul, with a number of new signings likely to be required to pick up the pieces of this season’s shattered 10-in-a-row dreams.
However, Petrov, 41, insists the requirement to build a new team almost from scratch is an excuse the Celtic supporters are unlikely to accept.
The retired Bulgarian told the Celtic Huddle podcast: “I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t think you can be a Celtic manager and say this is a rebuilding project.
“There’s no such thing. “I came from a foreign country and I had to learn very quickly and understand the DNA of the club, the demands of the fans. When you are the manager, you don’t have time to do that, especially in today’s football industry. You don’t have time to rebuild.
“If you manage a club like Celtic, you have to win. You have to win as much as you can. If you don’t, you’ll lose your job. This is a job where people have to go in expecting to win. It’s not a rebuilding process. There’s no rebuilding time.
That’s unfortunately the reality but you have to face it.”
Keane – who starred alongside Petrov in the Celtic midfield for six months in 2006 after leaving Manchester United – and ex-Bournemouth boss Howe remain the favourites in Petrov’s eyes.