Paul Lambert has backed Martin O’Neill to restore an element of calm at Celtic, even though he has reservations about the squad at his disposal.
O’Neill returned to Celtic Park on a caretaker basis last night following the resignation of Brendan Rodgers and his short-term task will be create harmony between a disgruntled fan base and a disgruntled board.
Lambert, who won three Scottish Premiership titles under O’Neill and four overall as a player, is confident, though, that the 73-year-old can be a unifying presence.
He told the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast: “You’ll get the usual fans that’ll come out and say it’s great he’s [Brendan Rodgers] away, and others that’ll say it’s disappointing.
“But the gaffer coming back in is probably the most successful manager, in most people’s eyes, since Jock Stein. O’Neill got the club to a European final, he’s done the treble in his first year.
“The gaffer has gone to Celtic to help them out, and the fans will think he can walk on water. They thought he could when he was there before.
“The only difference is he doesn’t have the same players, and that’s the main part. That’s the tools, and you can only work with what you’ve got. But if there’s any man that can turn things around and get them winning, get the crowd back on side, it’s him.”
Desmond blasts departing Rodgers
He has a tough job on his hands, on and off the pitch.
Celtic’s 3-1 defeat at Hearts on Sunday saw the Hoops slip eight points behind the table-topping Edinburgh side while Rodgers’ departure was accompanied by an astonishing statement from the club’s largest shareholder Dermot Desmond.
Desmond accused Rodgers of “divisive, misleading and self-serving” comments in the media and dismissed claims the Northern Irishman did not have full control over transfers.
He said: “I must express my deep disappointment at the way the past several months have unfolded. When we brought Brendan back to Celtic two years ago, it was done with complete trust and belief in his ability to lead the club into a new era of sustained success. Unfortunately, his conduct and communication in recent months have not reflected that trust.
“Every player signed and every player sold during his tenure was done so with Brendan’s full knowledge, approval, and endorsement. Any insinuation otherwise is absolutely false.
“Regrettably, his words and actions have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fuelled hostility towards members of the executive team and the board. Some of the abuse directed at them, and at their families, has been entirely unwarranted and unacceptable.
“Every member of the board and executive team is deeply passionate about Celtic and acts at all times with professionalism, integrity, and a shared desire for success. What has failed recently was not due to our structure or model, but to one individual’s desire for self-preservation at the expense of others.”
Another former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Rodgers on a permanent basis but O’Neill and Shaun Maloney will be in charge for tomorrow night’s home game with Falkirk.
