Steve Clarke drops clear hint amid Celtic links as he speaks out on Scotland future

Steve Clarke appears ready to leave his post as Scotland’s manager amid links with the top job at Celtic for next season.

The 62-year-old is set to lead his nation to their first World Cup since 1998 this summer, but his contract is due to expire at the end of the tournament.

The veteran boss has remained tight-lipped about his future with the national team until Tuesday night, when he hit out after his team’s 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast.

Scotland suffered one-goal losses against both the African side and Japan during the March international break, and the full-time whistle was met with boos from sections of the fanbase on both occasions.

Celtic’s managerial situation remains uncertain heading into the final stages of the season, but Clarke may be about to make himself available.

Steve Clarke ready for new challenge amid Celtic interest

Football Insider revealed at the end of January that Celtic are considering Clarke among a number of candidates who could potentially take charge of the team next term, with Martin O’Neill’s latest interim stint ending upon the conclusion of this campaign.

The ex-West Brom boss has been out of reach for Scottish Premiership sides in recent years, but that could be about to change after his latest post-match interview.

Clarke has clearly grown tired of talking about his future, given that he responded sharply to a question surrounding it on Tuesday night.

“I want to concentrate on the World Cup, I’m sure if something happens, then you guys will know. If it doesn’t happen, then I’m not bothered,” he said.

Clarke likely didn’t mean it literally that he is not bothered about whether or not he continues to manage the national team, but it could certainly be taken as a hint that he is ready for a new challenge.

Celtic’s interest could provide him with the perfect chance to step away, and Clarke has already made it clear that the idea of a new assignment would potentially appeal to him.

Clarke should be among favourites for Parkhead appointment

Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou is currently seen as the favourite to take the reins at Celtic for next season, amid a hugely impressive debut campaign in Scotland this season.

His Well side have been flying high in the league table, and many even had them down as outsiders in the title race until recently.

Roberto Martinez is also being linked with the soon-to-be vacant position, but Clarke has no reason to believe that he cannot compete for the role with managers of that calibre.

The work that he did to lead Kilmarnock to a third-place finish back in 2018-19 was arguably one of the most impressive feats achieved in the Premiership in recent years, and shows that he still has a strong grasp on how to achieve domestic success.

With that in mind, Clarke has every right to be among the leading candidates to take charge of the Bhoys for the coming years, and it would be an exciting appointment if the board chose to hand him the keys.

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