Hoops legend Frank McAvennie is worried the rift between the fans and the board could have long lasting consequences
Dermot Desmond (L) and Michael Nicholson(Image: SNS Group)
Frank McAvennie insists Celtic will need to appoint a heavyweight manager like Roberto Martinez this summer to persuade Dermot Desmond to dig out the chequebook.
The Hoops hero fears the Parkhead powerbroker might dig in after a campaign spent warring with a section of the club’s supporters. But Macca insisted Celtic need serious investment – and a serious manager – or face a trophy less future.
The Hoops have been linked with Portugal coach Martinez, Robbie Keane and Motherwell’s Jens Berthel Askou with Martin O’Neill expected to step down at the end of the season. But McAvennie has thrown his weight behind Martinez – as he has concerns Askou wouldn’t make the demands needed on the board.
He said: “Celtic have got to buy players. Dermot and the board are going to have to spend.
“I’m a wee bit concerned with all that’s gone on between the fans and the board. I understand all what is happening with the fans, but when you are talking about sacking people and so on, you can’t do that.
“I just hope Dermot doesn’t take it the wrong way and not spend any money this summer. We can’t have that – because this team is not good enough.
“If they bring in the boy from Motherwell, he’s a good manager, but it will say to me they are not going to spend any money.
“Because he’s not going to ask questions. If someone like Martinez comes in, a bit like Martin O’Neil first time around, he wants this and that, and all of a sudden he has big players like Chris Sutton and John Hartson, good quality players.
“That’s what Celtic need this summer. I like the Motherwell manager but I just don’t know if he’s big enough or strong enough for the board.
“Maritinez has worked with Shaun Maloney and would come in and want money. He’s been there and done it, he knows Celtic and would tell them they need to buy players.
“Martin did it in 2000 when the team was awful, but not as bad as it is now.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez
“Unless we get a manger who will come in and demand money, I can see us going two years without winning anything. I hope I am wrong.”
McAvennie is worried about the summer – especially after caretaker boss Martin O’Neill wasn’t backed in the January window.
The Hoops were six points behind Hearts when the Northern Irishman was summoned for a second rescue mission.
But Celts signed a rake of loan players plus Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a short-term deal with several struggling to make an impact.
Celtic’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during a clash with Motherwell (Image: SNS Group)
McAvennie – who spoke to Record Sport at the campaign launch to build a statue of Lisbon Lion Jim Craig in Govan – said: “You look at January. They didn’t spend a penny. St Mirren spent more and they only spent about 125 grand.
“I know there are wages and so on, but I just don’t get it. When you look at that team, a year ago they went toe-to-toe with Bayern Munich, but they would take eight off Celtic now.
“That’s not a slant on anyone, but it’s a reality. You want to see improvement all the time and that’s not happened in the last couple of windows.
“I hope Dermot says to the board to get the money out bring in a decent manager first of all and give them the cash to buy decent players.
“They can’t do what they usually do and wait to see if they get to the Champions League before making signings.
“They might not even get the chance next year as it could be the Europa League, or even the Conference.
“Hearts and Rangers will be hard to beat.
“I think all three teams will drop points – and Motherwell will have a big say in it.
“But Celtic cannot really afford to drop any more points.”
Frank McAvennie was helping to launch a campaign to build a statue of Lisbon Lion Jim Craig in Govan at the Glasgow Irish Centre.
For more info go to jimcraiggovanfoundation.co.uk