He is finally gone. On Wednesday morning it was announced that Neil Lennon was leaving his post as manager of Celtic. With that, Parkhead can finally celebrate the dawn of a new era.
Their biggest rivals now need just seven points to win the SPFL but who will be the man to replace Lennon in Glasgow?
On the chalkboard
There have been a whole crop of faces linked with the Celtic hot seat but one of the newest names is that of Scotland manager Steve Clarke.
The 57-year-old has taken the national team to the European Championships this summer and is now among the favourites to replace Lennon.
The Express claims that he is one of the frontrunners for the job, but that’s hardly surprising when you consider Clarke is someone that’s been discussed for the role in the past.
Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes talked up the coach in November last year, only having kind words to say of him: “I am looking at the job that Steve Clarke’s done. I know that Steve Clarke has previously been courted and been interviewed for the Celtic manager’s job previously.
“I think the job he’s doing is reminiscent to Craig Brown. He’s basically shoring up the backline. That’s his absolutely key attribute as a manager.”
His defensive nuances might be important in turning round Celtic’s defence, but when it comes to his attacking philosophy, it is hardly positive.
For context, Neil Lennon has managed a record of 2.1 goals per game during his managerial career. Even when Celtic struggled this term his team still managed to score two goals a match.
Clarke, on the other hand, has seen his team score only 1.3 goals per game during his various stints in the managerial world.
Bad for Christie
If you factor this into consideration, it doesn’t particularly bode very well for Celtic’s forward line. Though, it has the potential to be disastrous for a certain Ryan Christie.
The winger netted 20 times last term but in 2020/21, he has been a shadow of his former self. He has scored on only five occasions and has found the net just once in his last 23 appearances.
There has been plenty of criticism for his performances and if Dermot Desmond brings a manager who doesn’t favour offensive football to Parkhead, it would only heap further pressure upon Christie.
The Celtic forward may have scored four goals under Clarke for the national team, but with Christie now in such bad form, a defensive manager would see his performances falter more.
Christie is someone who prefers a license to go forward, a player who thrives with plenty of creative freedom. Though, judging by the stats, he could found life difficult under Clarke.
At Kilmarnock, the 57-year-old saw his team find the net only 1.4 times per game. At Reading, meanwhile, it was even worse; just 1.1 goals per match.
If Christie can’t find form under Lennon, a manager who has given plenty of freedom to his attackers, he would surely continue to waver under Clarke’s stewardship.
This doesn’t feel like a match made in heaven.