One Celtic managerial candidate has been handed a glowing endorsement as the Hoops’ search continues

Celtic are on the search for a new permanent manager ahead of the summer and several candidates have been touted to lead a fresh start at Parkhead.

The Hoops still trail leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership title race and are also below rivals Rangers in the table, though Martin O’Neill’s side have a game in hand on both clubs at present. They are faced with a difficult task to remain in the Europa League alongside their domestic exploits, facing their knockout play-off second leg in Stuttgart on Thursday amidst a 4-1 deficit on the Bundesliga side at present.

On the managerial front, O’Neill is in charge until the end of the season though the possibility remains that he could be given the job permanently. Former boss and fans’ favourite Ange Postecoglou has also been frequently mentioned, while ex-Chelsea and West Ham United boss Graham Potter is also thought to be a dark horse for the position. One top candidate, though, has been given a glowing recommendation by a former player.

Roberto Martinez praised as managerial ‘steal’ claim made

Former Everton and current Portugal boss Roberto Martinez is thought to be one of the leading candidates to take over as Celtic manager for next season, with his future currently undecided after he leads Portugal into the World Cup in North America this summer.

Fraser Fyvie, formerly of Aberdeen, Hibernian and most recently Cove Rangers before announcing his retirement this year, spent three years on the books at Wigan Athletic and played under Martinez with the Latics in 2012/13. He told PLZ Soccer that the former Everton man is the right gaffer to take over at Celtic.

Fyvie said: “If they managed to get Roberto, it would be a steal for the club. Obviously, Celtic’s a massive, massive football club, but Roberto would be a revelation in there.

“I think the style of play would suit the club, obviously Shaun Maloney’s already there, who he’s obviously been with at Wigan, and Shaun went with him to Belgium.”

‘It would be amazing’ - would Martinez be perfect appointment?

Fyvie continued: “I think if they could get Roberto, it would be amazing for the football club, it would probably be amazing for Roberto and Shaun as well.

“But I think tactically, the way he wants to play would suit Celtic to a tee. To be Celtic manager you have to play football in a certain way. I think Roberto meets the criteria for all of that. Just the way he represents himself, the way he is with players and everybody around the club… he’s fantastic.

“He was really good in the Premier League in England, he’s got a good pedigree, and obviously went up into the international game and has done fantastically well as well. So that would be a no-brainer appointment for me, if he was available for that job.”

Fyvie made just eight appearances under Martinez after signing for Wigan as a 19-year-old from Aberdeen, but his former boss evidently left a lasting impression. After a decade working in international management for Belgium and Portugal, Parkhead could soon be the destination of Martinez’s return to club football.