Clarke becomes the early front-runner to take over Celtic
➤ Scotland coach or Martinez could be appointed after Euros ➤ Kennedy in charge until end of season after Lennon resigns
Steve Clarke is the early favourite to succeed Neil Lennon as Celtic manager, although, as is usual when one of the Old Firm jobs is vacant, a clutch of names – some plausible, some entirely speculative – has materialised among the bookmaker offers. Eddie Howe has been connected with Celtic for months, so persistently that it has been easy to imagine one might catch a glimpse of the former Bournemouth manager hanging around the Parkhead entrance, waiting to be summoned.
Howe’s accomplishment in taking Bournemouth to the Premier League and keeping them there for five years commands respect, but the fact he has been out of work since August and that Celtic have decided Lennon’s assistant, John Kennedy, will be in charge until the end of the season, indicates the club have other targets in mind.
The same applies to Rafael Benitez, another free agent since his recent departure from Dalian of the Chinese Super League. Benitez would resonate with supporters who are partial to an experienced figure with a high profile, in this case earned at Liverpool, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
Kennedy must be counted among the contenders. The former Celtic defender returned as first-team coach under Ronny Deila in 2014 and continued in that role under Brendan Rodgers and then Lennon before his resignation.
The 37-year-old has the chance to burnish his reputation, especially if he can win the two outstanding Old Firm derbies, but his association with the team’s current form has tainted his chances for many fans.
Roberto Martinez is, by contrast, an intriguing possibility. The man who guided Wigan to FA Cup success is in charge of Belgium, the world’s No1 ranked country, and his credentials are bespoke for Celtic.
Martinez knows the Scottish scene as a former Motherwell player and his assistant is former Celtic striker Shaun Maloney, who has retained a home in Glasgow’s west end. The pair will not be available until after this summer’s Euros, but that would not be a barrier.
The same applies to Clarke, who became a national treasure when he guided Scotland to the Euro 2020 finals. Clarke’s appointment was the consequence of his record at Kilmarnock, who were bottom of the table when he took over in October 2017. Kilmarnock finished fifth that season with a club record total of 59 points and went on to third place the following year.
The former Chelsea and Scotland defender has in the past been targeted by a section of Rangers support for sectarian abuse. Mind you, Clarke might also reflect that Lennon – a target for sectarian assault during his two spells as manager – can testify that, for sustained vituperation, nothing matches his experience of the past six months from the fans who once lauded him.