Ex-Players Back O’Neill for City Job

Some of the players who helped make Martin O’Neill’s time as manager of Leicester City so successful can see him returning to the club…

Celtic boss and former City midfielder Neil Lennon commented: “It would be great to see him back in the game. One of his old adages was that you never go back, but I think it is very, very tempting for him. There is a good foundation at Leicester and I think the Leicester fans would be more than thrilled to see him back because he had such success there in the late 90s and the early part of the century. He has been out of the game for a long time. It’s the game’s loss to have such a great character and manager out of the game and if he does get the job I will be thrilled for him.”
And Leeds manager and former City right-back Simon Grayson, after ruling himself out of the job said:“I’d be very surprised if Martin O’Neill doesn’t accept the job if he’s given it,” Grayson said: “I’d be very surprised if Martin O’Neill doesn’t accept the job if he’s offered it.”

Although any evidence or quotes are missing from any articles linking O’Neill with City the Irish Telegraph has claimed: ”O’Neill has left the door ajar on a possible second stint at the club after emerging as the No 1 target to succeed Sven Goran Eriksson. But it is believed he wants cast-iron assurances from the club’s ambitious Thai owners before taking the job. O’Neill has expressed concerns after Eriksson’s sudden sacking and fears an underwhelming second spell could tarnish his excellent reputation at the club where he lifted two League Cups. However, the Leicester board are determined to persuade him and will promise substantial funds for the January transfer window in an attempt to swing the deal.”

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Lennon and Dickov in New Jobs

Former City favourites Neil Lennon and Paul Dickov both have their feet under the manager’s desk today…

Lennon, who was the midfield-engine of Martin O’Neill’s City side, was officially unveiled as the new manager of Celtic this morning, having been appointed caretaker manager in March following the sacking of Tony Mowbray.
“The challenge is to try to unite the support again. What I want to bring is the thunder back. I want this place rocking again.” Lennon said.
Celtic chairman John Reid explained the delay in appointing the former Northern Ireland international.
“We considered, we debated, we maintained dialogue with Neil throughout that. On every occasion our head brought us back to where our heart had started, we came back to Neil Lennon.”

Meanwhile, in the less salubrious surroundings of Boundary Park another press conference was naming Paul Dickov as player/manager of Oldham Athletic.
The striker, who was twice signed by Leicester in 2002 and 2008, commented: “I know it’s going to be hard but I want to succeed; everything I’ve done in my career has been by giving 100 per cent.”

Celtic Making Plans for Nigel?

The Leicester Mercury are claiming that Nigel Pearson is on the Celtic shortlist to fill the managerial hotseat just vacated by Tony Mowbray…

Almost a decade after Celtic tempted Martin O’Neill north of the border, this speculation will come as unwelcome news to City fans on the day Pearson’s side travel to West Brom looking to halt a run of three defeats.
Former City-legend Neil Lennon has taken over duties as caretaker manager at the Glasgow giant. 
The City boss, who has lost just 20 of his 99 games in charge at Leicester, is currently involved in lengthy negotiations over a new contract as City face the vital last six games of the season.

Rangers, Celtic v Leicester?

Former City-boss Martin O’Neill has become the latest Premier League manager, after David Moyes and Harry Redknapp, to back Bolton Chairman Phil Gartside’s proposals to form a ‘Premier League 2′ with Rangers and Celtic invited to join.  
Gartside’s idea will be discussed at a summit meeting tomorrow.

O’Neill told BBC Radio 5 live: “I would like to see both teams in the Premier League. I think it would make the Premier League even stronger. I’ve been there, Celtic is just an unbelievable football club and Rangers also. I would welcome Celtic and Rangers to English football if they wanted to play down here”
These proposals would almost certainly include Leicester City, whose supporters will have not entirely great memories of two friendlies at home to Celtic in recent years. There was sectarian chanting at Filbert Street when Martin O’Neill brought his Celtic side down for a game and Gordon Strachan’s side visited the Walkers in 2005, but a horror challenge from Bobo Balde left bright young prospect James Wesolowski with a broken leg.

There would appear to be huge stumbling blocks to the Old Firm moving south.
Why would clubs from one country’s Association be allowed to play in the League of another?
Although many fans across Scotland would be glad to see the back of the Old Firm would they really be able to survive without them?
What would happen if one of the Scottish clubs got relegated from ‘EPL2′?
As we have seen before however, the promise of money can help clear a lot of hurdles in football. This is one idea that refuses to go away.