Celtic have drawn up a list of options should a mid-season change of manager be required, with the club’s hierarchy already discussing potential replacements. According to reports, should Martin O’Neill decide to leave Celtic, several candidates are already being considered, among them Neil Lennon and former Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna.
The contingency planning comes amid uncertainty over the manager’s position, though no change has been confirmed and the discussions remain framed as preparation for a scenario in which a mid-season switch might become necessary rather than a decision already taken.
Elsewhere, Hibernian’s new head coach Marink Reedijk has revealed the scale of the interest he attracted before settling on a move to Easter Road. Reedijk knocked back offers to coach with clubs in Germany, Belgium and Austria before opting for the role at Hibernian.
At Celtic, there is fresh news on two wide players. Haissem Hassan played an hour for Egypt last night, despite a belief that he would be missing the match through injury. Meanwhile, fellow Celtic winger Yang Hyun-jun has confirmed he is dealing with a hamstring injury sustained while away with South Korea at the Asian Games.
The management and injury stories were not the only items circulating. Ryan Jack, 34, is training with his former club Rangers as he prepares for his next move. Former Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard responded to that news with a social media message reading: “Put him in the middle. Proper player.”