Could Shaun Maloney Be The Next Celtic Manager? Rumours Begin Again That Martin O’Neill Is Set To Walkaway.

There’s always a Whatsapp when we are going through a rough patch isn’t there?

The latest one doing the rounds is whether we win, lose or draw on Sunday against Rangers that it will be Martin O’Neill’s last game as Celtic Manager.

After last night’s 3-1 Europa League defeat to Ferencváros followed Sunday’s 3-0 League Cup defeat at Ibrox, the pressure has increased dramatically. O’Neill remains unbeaten in the Premiership, but two damaging defeats in five days have inevitably created questions about what comes next.

I actually discussed this on the Bhoycie Bus before these latest rumours started gathering pace.

My feeling was simple: if Celtic suffered another result against the Ibrox side this Sunday similar to last weekend, particularly after losing to Ferencváros, I couldn’t see Martin still being Celtic manager this time next week.

Now the whispers go further.

There is talk doing the rounds that Celtic could use the international break to examine a new managerial structure regardless of Sunday’s result.

Let me stress that properly: I’ve seen nothing credible enough yet to report that as fact.

But would Celtic making a change surprise me?

No.

Would what I’m about to suggest surprise me even less?

Absolutely not.

Is Shaun Maloney The Obvious Celtic Board Choice?

My fear would be Celtic looking around the building and deciding the answer is already sitting inside it.

Shaun Maloney.

His influence at Celtic has unquestionably grown. Earlier this summer, reports described Maloney as having an increasingly important role behind the scenes, while he subsequently became part of O’Neill’s permanent coaching structure.

There has also been plenty of supporter discussion recently about exactly how much influence Maloney has over the current team.

I’ve spoken about it myself.

Is this entirely Martin O’Neill’s football?

How much influence does Maloney have tactically?

Is he involved heavily in team selection?

Those questions are fair, but the distinction is important: there is currently no verified evidence that Maloney is picking the Celtic team. Even recent discussion around his influence has acknowledged that.

Nothing Celtic Do Would Surprise Me Now.

If O’Neill leaves, Celtic need a proper managerial appointment and a clear footballing structure.

Not convenience.

Not simply promoting whoever happens to already have a Lennoxtown pass.

That’s what concerns me about the Maloney possibility.

After everything Celtic have been through with managerial appointments and recruitment structures, surely the next decision has to demonstrate imagination and ambition.

These rumours could disappear completely if Celtic beat the Ibrox side on Sunday.

Perhaps Martin steadies everything and this conversation looks ridiculous within weeks.

But if there really is change coming during the international break, Celtic cannot afford another appointment based primarily on familiarity.

And yet, knowing how this club operates?

Shaun Maloney getting the keys would surprise me about as much as the rumours themselves.