We need to lay off the Jens Berthel Askou to Celtic obsession
There’s a feeling amongst a high percentage of Celtic supporters that we missed a trick by not hiring Jens Berthel Askou in the summer after the Dane’s impressive campaign in charge of Motherwell…
Askou transformed the fortunes of the Fir Park outfit as they caught the eye by playing an impressive style of football resulting in a fourth place finish for The Steelmen.
The 44 year old was heavily linked with the then vacant Celtic park managerial position, but nothing ever materialised and he would move on, his destination was France as he took up the reins at Ligue 1 side Toulouse.
Celtic of course decided to offer Martin O’Neill the manager’s job on a permanent basis, but after some questionable performances this season, a high number of fans are doubting the decision to hire the 74 year-old Irishman, who obviously is a club legend for what he achieved over two decades ago and also his incredible success last season.
The subject of Celtic missing the boat on Askou was discussed just recently by former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew, who along with former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thompson on the Breakdown Podcast fully believes that the hoops should have installed Askou as manager while retaining Martin in another capacity.
Both Mulgrew and Thompson feel that Askou would have been a breath of fresh air at the Scottish Champions, with Thompson even suggesting that the Dane could have made an impact on the side not seen since the days of Ange Postecoglou.
In my opinion Askou would have been worth considering for the job, but the reality is that he wasn’t and we decided to go with Martin O’Neill. And it has got to be pointed out, did the Dane possess the necessary credentials required to take the reins at a club as big as Celtic?
His past experience didn’t exactly inspire confidence, and despite an impressive campaign in charge at Fir Park, he hadn’t done enough to warrant the hysteria that surrounds him. Managing Celtic and the expectations that come with it are a completely different story to occupying the Fir Park dugout.
The fact that he could organise his side and coach them competently is what made him an attractive choice. Something that shows how bad we’ve fallen from a coaching perspective.
Would Askou have made a significant difference?
No one really knows, but we should lay off the pining for the guy. Instead we have to hope that there is an immediate improvement over the next two matches, both at Celtic Park, before the international break.
Celtic face Besiktas tomorrow evening and it will be a tough challenge for the Hoops, if the standings are anything to go by. The Turkish side are unbeaten with two wins and a draw while Celtic are pointless after losing to Ferencvaros, Benfica and Celta Vigo.
Then on Sunday Celtic take on Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership. The match has a 4pm kickoff and is available on PPV for those located in Britain and Ireland not making the game and as usual also on Celtic TV for subscribers based outside on those two islands.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
