Forget Wilder: Phillips tells Celtic to hire two touted glamour names instead
Chris Wilder does not have the necessary star power to manage Celtic – they need a glamour appointment like Eddie Howe or Roy Keane.
That is according to ex-Premier League goalscorer Kevin Phillips, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the 53-year-old who is the odds-on favourite to take the vacant managerial position at Celtic Park.
Wilder was dismissed by Sheffield United last Friday after five seasons at the helm during which he oversaw a meteoric rise from League One to the top-flight.
Celtic have been without a manager since February, with John Kennedy placed in temporary charge until the club appoints Neil Lennon’s permanent successor.
Phillips does not doubt Wilder’s managerial credentials but insists that Celtic will go for a more high-profile appointment instead.
He told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs: “If I put myself in a Celtic supporter’s shoes, who would I rather have, a Chris Wilder or an Eddie Howe?
“I see Celtic as a more high-profile club that would opt for someone like Howe or Roy Keane because of the name.
“We’ve seen what happened at Sheffield United. He would go in there and give it a hell of a good go.
“But do I see it happening? I don’t think so. I could be wrong but I think they’ll look somewhere else.”
The Sun reports that Keane, 49, is interested in making a return to the dugout with Celtic.
His chances may have been given a boost after it was this site revealed that Keane’s associate Martin O’Neill will be consulted as the club look to appoint a new boss.
In other news, a top pundit claims Celtic could attempt to sign Ben Davies in the summer after his total lack of game-time for Liverpool.