Odhrán MacNiallais believes former Donegal manager Jim McGuinness can one day manage Celtic FC.
Donegal star Odhrán MacNiallais has claimed former Donegal supremo Jim McGuinness can one day manage Celtic FC.
McGuinness is currently employed by the Glasgow giants as a performance consultant, since being appointed to the position in November 2012.
He worked closely with the club’s youth structure in recent seasons, but following the appointment of Ronnie Delia, McGuinness now works predominantly with the club’s first-team.
The success McGuinness had in four-years with Donegal, made him the county’s greatest ever coach, and there are those who believe the charismatic Glenties man has the abilities to be able to manage at a club like Celtic.
MacNiallais said, “I don’t see why not, what he’s done to this Donegal team, when you look back to 2010 the state, the position this Donegal team were in, they were down and out and he turned that around completely.
“I don’t see why he couldn’t manage Celtic.
“Jim brings such a massive psychological side to it. It’s not just his tactics. That would be a big thing to have if you are going to manage a soccer team – you are dealing with a lot of people.
“(It’s) probably tougher to deal with professional players than with us. We are just there doing it because we love it but them boys are all getting paid, however, I think it would suit Jim perfectly. He would settle in right away.
MacNiallais also paid tribute to his former boss and admitted without his influence he probably wouldn’t have fulfilled his undoubted potential.
“What he’s done for me personally is massive. Two or three years ago I was playing U21 for the county but I don’t think I would have had it to go and play senior only for him.
“He kind of pushed me on massively. I always had the talent, boys from home would tell me that I had it, but I never kind of pushed myself.
“He kind of pushed me on to become a senior footballer and I can’t thank him enough for that. It was massive for me.
“It’ll be weird now not having him there but we’ll just have to get on with it. Hopefully he’ll be back.
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