Dunfermline manager Neil Lennon believes that John McGlynn should be considered for the Celtic job when it becomes available in the summer.
According to Lennon, Falkirk manager McGlynn has achieved so much over such an extended period that he should be ‘in the conversation’ at Celtic Park.
Robbie Keane, Roberto Martinez and Craig Bellamy are among the favourites to succeed Martin O’Neill when he stands down as interim boss at the end of this season.
But Lennon, who has had two spells in charge of Celtic, says 64-year-old McGlynn is a candidate whose experience and proven managerial ability should not be discounted.
Falkirk have won two successive promotions and taken the top flight by storm under McGlynn, who had already won admirers at Hearts, Raith Rovers and Livingston.
His c.v. also includes a spell as first-team scout and opposition analyst at Celtic, where he worked under Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers.
John McGlynn has worked wonders at Falkirk and ‘should be in the conversation’ for Celtic job
All of which has impressed Lennon, whose Dunfermline team take on Falkirk in this afternoon’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
‘He’s one of the best coaches in the game here,’ said Lennon. ‘He’s got longevity. I think he should be in the conversation for the next Celtic manager as well.
‘Whether that would appeal to John, I don’t know, and I don’t want to throw him under the bus. I apologise to the Falkirk people as well, but that’s how I rate John.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever come up against him in a competitive game. He’s in the way now so we’ll just have to go at it as best we can.
‘I’ve got such admiration and respect for what he’s achieved, not just at Falkirk but throughout his career. He’s learned, he’s worked hard and he’s reaping the rewards of it. Fair play. He’s a sponge and I know he’s very thorough in his detailed approach.’
Championship side Dunfermline will be the underdogs at the national stadium today, but they have eliminated two Premiership sides in Hibs and Aberdeen from the competition already and are determined to make it three.
With the Fife side trying to reach their first Scottish Cup final since 2007, midfielder Charlie Gilmour says the showdown with fierce rivals Falkirk will be the biggest match of his career so far.
Neil Lennon is looking forward to putting his Championship side to the test against the Bairns
The 27-year-old featured as a teenager for Arsenal in two Europa League matches in 2018 and was an unused substitute for St Johnstone as they defeated Livingston in the 2021 League Cup final.
Having spent much of his senior career in Scotland’s lower divisions, Englishman Gilmour is excited to be involved in such a high-profile game.
‘I think it’s the biggest in my career,’ he said. ‘I just feel like we can beat any team on our day. We just need to all be at it and I’m pretty confident we’re all going to give the best account of ourselves.
‘We’ve beaten a few good teams before getting to this point. It has been a good run for us so far and we’re obviously not going there just to take part, we’re going there to win the game.’
Dunfermline are set to be without top scorer Andrew Tod, Zak Rudden and Olly Thomas, while Freddie Turley and Tashan Oakley-Boothe are doubtful with injuries sustained in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw at Airdrie.
