Craig Bellamy: A Potential Successor for Celtic
Scottish Masters
Venue: P&J Arena, Aberdeen Date: Friday, 14 November Time: 19:30 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC Scotland & iPlayer
Former Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley has expressed his belief that fellow Welshman Craig Bellamy would be an "ideal fit" for the managerial position at Parkhead. Ledley suggests that Bellamy would be "very interested" in taking on the role, either later this season or in the future.
Maintaining a close relationship with the Wales manager, Ledley emphasized that Bellamy's "aggressive, front-foot" approach with the national team would translate effectively to Celtic. He noted that the only potential barrier to this move could be the timing.
Following Brendan Rodgers' resignation, Celtic appointed former manager Martin O'Neill on an interim basis. Ledley believes Bellamy would have been the perfect permanent choice if he weren't currently focused on guiding Wales through World Cup qualifiers.
"I like Craig Bellamy," Ledley told BBC Scotland when discussing potential successors to Rodgers. "I’ve seen a lot of what he’s been doing here in Wales as manager of the national team. His passion for football is evident, and he has a connection to Celtic from his brief playing days there."
Bellamy represented Wales from 1998 to 2013, while Ledley played for the national team from 2005 to 2018. Wales is currently preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein away on Saturday and at home against North Macedonia next Tuesday, which will determine their chances of automatic qualification.
Currently, Wales sits third in Group J, trailing Belgium and North Macedonia, but holds a game in hand over the latter and is just one point behind with two matches remaining.
"He’s very attack-minded, very aggressive, and presses very high," Ledley remarked about Bellamy's tactics. "I believe his style of play with Wales would definitely suit Celtic. He is passionate about the club and has a deep understanding of it, making him a perfect candidate. However, it might be a bit too soon for him, as he has stated he has unfinished business with the national team, especially with the play-off for the World Cup in March approaching. The question remains whether the club will wait to see what Craig decides or if they will need to move on to other candidates. Kieran McKenna at Ipswich has also been mentioned, having performed well there and previously linked with Chelsea. Ultimately, it depends on the board's direction."
Bellamy 'Fully Focused' on Wales
Ledley's comments come just days after Bellamy distanced himself from speculation regarding the vacant managerial position at Celtic. The 46-year-old, who had a brief playing stint at Celtic, acknowledged the connections due to his coaching role but reiterated his commitment to the national team.
"I can understand the links because I played there, and now I’m coaching, so I definitely understand the speculation," Bellamy stated. "But I love what I’m doing right now. I’m completely focused on what’s ahead. It looks like it’s going to be a play-off in March, and that’s my sole focus. I couldn’t ask for anything more than what I have at this moment, and that’s where my priorities lie."