Celtic have been told that they may have difficulties attracting one of their top managerial candidates

Celtic will make a decision over their next permanent manager this summer, once a tense Scottish Premiership title race under Martin O’Neill comes to a conclusion.

Former Hoops manager O’Neill arrived as manager until the end of the season in January after the disastrous eight-game reign of Wilfred Nancy, which saw Celtic fall further behind Hearts at the top of the table. A deficit remains to be made up and could have been more, had Celtic not come back from 2-0 to draw 2-2 with Rangers in last weekend’s Old Firm clash.

Several candidates have emerged for the permanent Hoops job ahead of next season, with current Portugal boss Roberto Martinez tipped as one of the favourites to take over after leading Cristiano Ronaldo and co. to the World Cup. Former boss Ange Postecoglou has also been named amongst the contenders – but one former Premiership star believes that one of the ’top managerial candidates might be tempted by offers elsewhere.

Former Motherwell striker says Steelmen boss will ‘turn down’ Celtic

Former Motherwell and Rangers striker Ross McCormack has claimed that Jens Berthel Askou will turn down the Celtic job if the current Motherwell boss is offered the position in the summer.

Speaking on Open Goal podcast, McCormack said: “I think he turns that down. I think he goes bigger than that.”

Presenter Si Ferry queried: “He turns the Celtic job down?”

McCormack responded: “Yes.”

Ferry asked: “You think Premier League job?”

McCormack again replied: “Yes. I’ll have a wee bet with you.

“I’ll bet you that he goes to the Premier League before he goes to Celtic. I think he goes to the Premier League.”

Ferry asked McCormack where in the Premier League Askou could end up, namechecking Nottingham Forest as a possible size of club.

McCormack responded by claiming that a man with close ties with another Premiership club could have his eye on Askou. That being Hearts investor Tony Bloom, who is the owner and chairman of Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion. The former Scotland striker claimed that the south coast side may be looking to change managers in the summer.

McCormack said: “I think Tony Bloom’s got a close eye, doesn’t he? That Brighton manager [Fabian Hurzeler] will be gone.”

McCormack was asked one last time: “Do you think he’d turn down Celtic?”

He said: “Yes. I think the fact Celtic haven’t got it done now, they’re losing him.”

What Askou has said on links with Celtic job

Askou said when asked about the Celtic managerial links: “I don’t know if it’s disrespectful, but I don’t think it is anything you can avoid. It’s not something I need to comment on or anything because it’s something that we cannot stop.

“There is a little bit of noise and speculation about stuff, but the good thing is that I’m here, I’m really pleased with that. Celtic have a job to do as well. That’s why I don’t feel any need to comment on these things. Everyone needs their peace and quiet to finish the season strongly.”