Celtic are now eyeing Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy as they remain in their search for a replacement for Brendan Rodgers, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The Bhoys are still in the market for a new manager following Rodgers’ resignation, with Martin O’Neill being placed in temporary charge of the Glasgow giants. O’Neill has done a fine job so far, earning plenty of credit after winning an Old Firm Derby in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Celtic currently find themselves sitting in second place in the Scottish Premiership, nine points behind league leaders Hearts in the title race. A win against Kilmarnock will take them within six points heading into the international break, which could be the ideal time for a new manager to implement their ideas.
Celtic Eyeing Brian Barry-Murphy
According to a report from journalist Nixon, Cardiff City manager Barry-Murphy has now emerged as a ‘new name’ in the race to become Celtic boss. Nixon refers to a ‘strange twist’, due to Middlesbrough wanting to bring in the ‘top manager’, but Celtic’s interest has complicated matters.
Barry-Murphy has previously worked for The City Group and is admired by them, while Celtic have strong links to the organisation, using them for background information on coaches. The 47-year-old started at Rochdale before joining Manchester City and Leicester City as a coach.
Barry-Murphy currently has Cardiff in fourth position in League One in England, but they’ve lost their last two games in the third tier. The Irishman only joined Cardiff back in June, and it’s only his second permanent manager role at senior level, having taken over at Rochdale for just over two years.
Barry-Murphy has won 61.9% of his games in charge of Cardiff so far, but he could already be on his way out of the door with interest from two clubs. Either Celtic or Middlesbrough will be forced to pay compensation due to him already being with a club, but the former have been in a lengthy search for a new boss.
O’Neill will be in charge for Celtic’s game against Kilmarnock, but it will be interesting to see how long he remains in the job with the international break now approaching, giving the Glasgow giants even more time to find a new manager.
