Amidst the news that Martin O’Neill has agreed to become the Celtic manager on a full-time basis, following a successful interim spell which culminated in a domestic Double, attention quickly turned to who O’Neill would be bringing into the football club to support his new endeavours on the touchline…
As we now know, the Irishman is set to continue on with the same backroom team, which helped him get the title and Scottish Cup over the line in the most dramatic of circumstances. Shaun Maloney, Mark Fotheringham, Stephen McManus and Gavin Strachan are set to remain in post, in what will be viewed as a continuity appointment from the club moving forward.
Some have claimed that with the upheaval and uncertainty which this past season bequeathed us all, O’Neill was the correct choice for this reason. Whilst there is merit to it, it still beggars belief that the club had months and months to work on bringing in a new manager and yet still somehow returned to 74-year-old O’Neill, which suggests it was a wait and see what happens strategy once again from the suits.
Nevertheless, having lifted two trophies and narrowly missing out on the opportunity to secure a domestic clean sweep, had it not been for the infamous Wilfred Nancy appointment at Celtic Park, O’Neill has shown he is capable of winning silverware, which cannot be sniffed at. O’Neill wouldn’t have managed it though without a dedicated backroom staff, which he counted on at numerous times for help and support with this current group of players.
Shaun Maloney was of particular importance, having been the ideas man and brainchild of the improvised operation last term. Peter Martin, of PLZ Soccer, spoke lately about the prospect of Maloney staying in the backroom staff to help O’Neill again, and insisted that he will be indispensable for the man who guided the club to another League title this year.
“The good thing for Martin O’Neill being in place, is that he’s got Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham,” Martin said.
“Maloney’s massive for me, because he provides the technical structure for the modern-day coach. And Martin can provide all the other magical stuff.
“Let’s not forget, this is a two-time European Cup winner. He’s got a lot to offer in a tactical sense. Martin is much more than just the motivational coach, I can tell you. So, Celtic fans can look forward to it,” the journalist insisted on his PLZ Soccer channel.
Paul Gillespie
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1 Comment
It was a combination that provided much needed results, which ended finally in success last season.
But our levels of the football produced, will still have to be drastically improved all the same imo?
MoN is still potentially playing catch up with the needs of the modern day footballer, compared to his days 20 years ago? And still possibly coming to terms how pampered they can be, compared to his days gone by imo?
So MoN will bring a different skill set, where maloney is possibly involved moreso, with our tactical and passing on information to our players moreso, with MoN and his motivational skills in operation moreso imo?
A combination that was finally able to gain victories in away European matches, which was another highlight within our season just gone?
Would like to think that our consistency levels in performance can be improved upon?
But keeping hold of that winning mentality finally installed into our team finally, is a very decent starting point for next season all the same?
We might be lacking player numbers, at present within our core group currently?
But at least with the players that will remain, will help to settle in players far quicker, than the turmoil that was in existence last season?
Expecting a tough enough August period of fixtures, to have to overcome. Along with the crucial CL qualification games?
This despite having the prospect of a disruptive pre season to face?
So hopefully we are going to be prepared better for the start of next season, better than last season, despite far more difficulties to overcome?
Last thing we need, is having to face another season of playing catch up football, all the same imo?