Ex-Partick boss Gerry Collins has mooted the possibility that Celtic are in negotiations to hire Roberto Martinez as their next permanent manager.
Neil Lennon has been in temporary charge of the Hoops since Brendan Rodgers quit to join Leicester last month, but Collins reckons that the Scottish Premiership leaders want to hire Belgium boss Martinez at the end of the campaign.
He also adds that ex-Celtic player Shaun Maloney, who is a coach in the current Belgium set-up, could return to Parkhead alongside the former Everton manager.
“I genuinely believe that Martinez and Shaun Maloney [will be hired],” Collins told Rock Sport radio on Tuesday, as shown via their Periscope account [13:15 onwards].
“No I don’t think [the deal is done], I think they’re still negotiating on that deal.”
He added: “If it’s Neil Lennon fine, then Neil Lennon can maybe go and get their 10-in-a-row, but the character of whoever comes in has got to be a hero.
“If it’s not Lenny, I think it’s Martinez, along with Shaun Maloney. He’s the type of manager that Celtic want, he plays good football.”
OPINION
Martinez would be a good appointment by Celtic. Although he did not do an amazing job at Everton, he still managed to win the FA Cup with Wigan and was impressive while in charge of Swansea when they started their rise up towards the Premier League. At the World Cup last summer, he led Belgium to the semi-finals, only to lose to eventual winners France. It would be a smart decision by Peter Lawwell to hire Martinez along with Maloney, as he is someone who knows Celtic and could help the Spaniard settle down in Glasgow. Martinez’s style of football is also something that might interest Celtic fans, but at the moment, things are going well under Lennon and supporters might not be happy to think about anyone but the Northern Irishman to be their next permanent boss. Lennon started the current run of title wins, so why not let him finish it?