The Celtic board have said they will make their decision on who will replace Tony Mowbray on a permanent basis following a period of "thorough consideration". While this may not be enjoyable by Neil Lennon and Johan Mjallby, it may be right that they do not rush into a decision that may not be the right one. Mowbray had all the credentials to suggest he was the right man for the job but it proved not to be. Former Hoops striker John Hartson believes the Celtic board cannot afford to rush in to appointing a new manager because they have to get it right this time. Hartson, who was a team-mate of Lennon when he played at the club between 2001 and 2006, wants the Irishman to get the nod but is aware with Old Firm rivals Rangers having secured two SPL title wins in a row, the Celtic board cannot afford to make another mistake.
The former Wales striker said: "They have got to get it right, haven't they? And that's why they are maybe taking a bit longer. They did get Tony Mowbray wrong. Celtic went out and spent big on Tony and he made a complete hash of it, he came in and dismantled the team. I for one thought he would be great for Celtic, I thought that Celtic and Mogga were a match made in heaven. I can point out that he was an ex-Celtic captain, his teams pass the ball, he was successful as Hibs manager, and he played the Celtic way but it just didn't work out. I don't know which way the club are going to go on this one because I don't speak to Peter Lawwell (chief executive) and John Reid on matters of this nature but Lenny would get my vote, he could not have done any more than he has been asked. Why go and spend big money on a manager and give him money to spend when you have Lenny in the position already? It is very mixed though, as lots of people want to see him get it and others do not. Celtic is a tough job. We are in the winning business and all the more so when you are managing Celtic or Rangers. It is really difficult because you lose or draw and it is a disaster. And everyone is getting judged on the phone-ins and message boards. If anybody wants to learn how to do then look at Walter Smith. Fair play to Walter because two years ago Rangers were out on their feet and when Celtic moved seven points clear they should have gone on from there to clinch four in a row. They did not do that and Walter won the title and stopped four on the spin and now Rangers are going for three in a row. Everybody slaughtered Gordon Strachan. I was a fan of Gordon but the fans didn't like him from day one, even though he brought success to the club. I'm sure there are a few people who wouldn't mind him getting the job now. But if they want a Celtic man there is no bigger Celtic man than Neil Lennon. If that's the case, appoint him."
Hartson believes the Celtic board will be spoilt for choice when it comes to attracting interest from potential managers He said: "I don't think it will be difficult for Celtic to attract a big name as their manager. Celtic, like Rangers, are a giant of a club. It is great to be a part of a football team like this and there are plenty of big names that will come and manage Celtic. This is still absolutely a big pull for football managers as they are one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is a fantastic place to play your football as 60,000 supporters watch you every other week and you have great opportunities to win trophies. Before I joined Celtic, I played at big clubs like Arsenal and West Ham but I hit the real heights playing with Celtic. I scored goals regularly but I never got the adulation at Arsenal and West Ham that I did in Glasgow. I could walk down the street in London but in Glasgow I could hardly do that because of the adulation and respect that you got from the supporters. So this is a wonderful, wonderful place to play football and Celtic are a fantastic club and a massive pull for any manager."
The Celtic board have said they will make their decision on who will replace Tony Mowbray on a permanent basis following a period of "