Around a month back, reports from the Daily Mail came out that Celtic were considering Preston North End’s manager Alex Neil as a possible candidate to take over the top job at Parkhead in the summer. However, latest reports from the Daily Star conveys that Alex Neil has himself ruled out from the position.
What did Neil say?
The 37-year-old recently confirmed that he isn’t paying any heed to the speculations linking him to the Celtic job. The former Norwich boss said, “I have got no intention of going anywhere else. I speak to Peter Ridsdale all the time about what we are doing here. There have been no discussions with any other club. My sole focus is on Preston and we are making plans for next season.”
It’s clear that Neil wants to continue his work at the Deepdale Stadium. Preston North End have done quite well under Neil since he took in charge of the club in 2017. In his inaugural season, the Lilywhites finished seventh and were just two points short of the playoff spot. Not many would have termed them as playoff contenders at the beginning of the season, but Alex Neil with limited financial backing brought them on the cusp of something special.
This season again, they are just three points off the sixth spot and are emerging as a surprise candidate to take that coveted spot.
What now for Celtic?
With every passing day, managers who were linked with Celtic are putting themselves out of the race. Not too long ago, Marco Rose reportedly joined Borussia Monchengladbach. We think that Neil could have been a decent option as he is young but still experienced enough. He took Norwich City to the Premier League by winning the Championship playoffs. His side went down the following season but as a manager, one learns a lot during that phase.
At Preston, he has been able to get the best out of the players who were termed average. Moreover, they are also playing an attractive brand of football which should suit Celtic as well. Neil also has a fair bit of experience of the Scottish football as he played as a player for Hamilton Academical from 2005-2015. Last two seasons of his playing days was as a manager cum player and his impressive work with the Scottish side helped him earn a move to Norwich City.
With every passing day, it seems likely that Neil Lennon will take over the top job permanently. Alex Neil would have been a decent appointment as he is a young manager but still experienced enough who looks hungry for success. In short he was really the perfect fit for Celtic.
