If Strachan was to leave.....?

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic believes the drawing power of the Old Firm would attract players and managers from all over the world to Scotland despite the unattractiveness of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The former Everton and West Ham defender has brought his side to Glasgow for Wednesday's friendly against Scotland at Hampden which he is using as preparation for the European Championships in the summer.

Bilic's contract is up at the end of the tournament and he reiterated his desire to remain as national coach and take his team in to the World Cup qualifiers which start at the beginning of next season.

However, he admitted the two Glasgow giants do hold universal appeal.

He said: "I have said that I want to stay as a manager and I am enjoying my time with the players.

"We have a young team with great young players coming through

and all the players can play in the World Cup qualifiers when they start, apart from maybe one or two.

"Therefore I am enjoying my time here and I want to stay if they offer me a new contract which they are probably going to do.

"Scotland does not have the best league in the world but put it this way, there is no trainer or manager in the world who, if called by Rangers or Celtic, would not walk to Glasgow.

"And ask my players. They are playing for really good teams in really good leagues that are far better than the SPL, but I'm sure that they would definitely talk to those two clubs."

Bilic is looking forward to his first trip to Hampden but played down suggestions he has become a hero to the Tartan Army after knocking England out of the Euro qualifiers with a dramatic win at Wembley.

He said: "We wanted to play an away game and as soon as we had the chance to play at Hampden then all the other options were out of the question.

"We were looking for really strong opponents who were going to give us a picture of our form and condition two months before the European Championships and you can't ask for better than Scotland.

"They are a quality team that were close to qualifying for the Euros out of a qualifying group that was probably the strongest along with our own.

"Secondly, you can compare them with Croatia because of their patriotism and will to play for their country.

"It is a friendly game but it is going to be competitive.

"I never played at Hampden, but I follow Scottish football as well as the national team and even on television you can feel the special atmosphere and I hope it's going to be the same on Wednesday."

"Am I a hero to the Scottish fans? I don't know," said Bilic.

"But we did the job for ourselves. We didn't play for Russia and we definitely didn't play for Scotland or Ireland so they can tease the English.

"You are only as good as your last result so it would be totally wrong if we were still hanging out in bars saying 'do you remember what a great day that win over England was?'

"That would take us nowhere. Of course, it will stay with us forever and we will enjoy telling our grandchildren about it but the game is in the past."

Bilic skilfully avoided making comparisons between the England and Scotland national teams by saying: "I am not going to make comparisons, I am going to leave it to Fabio Capello to arrange a game between Scotland and England."






CreamyPantsCSC

Would be very risky. Never managed in Club management before. Has got the best put of a slightly ordinary looking Croatia squad but thats a whole different kettle of fish.

I'd go with someone with more experience to be honest.

Who out there has experience that would be willing to take it though? Read today that if Strachan was to leave, Celtic would try and get Mark Hughes. As long as it's not Roy Keane (yet) I don't mind

Hughes would be a decent appointment, even if your quality of football might take a bit of a hit.

McLaren anyone?

Jesus, it couldn't get any worse than it is!

Shove McClaren up yer erse

I know I am new to this and there will be people on here who like the man but anyone but Strachan will do for me! The man is a tactically inept idiot who insists on making a fool of himself & the club in every interview and the bulk of his signings have been awful! and my final 2 words will be Gary Caldwell! I think I have made my point there.

Slaven Bilic - Yes

Mark Hughes - Yes

Roy Keane - Yes

But my favoured choice would be John Collins, I saw Hibs play a few times under him and they played nice football and he knows what it means to pull on the mighty hoops and how much it means to us that we play well and that the players in the squad really want to be there and will give 110% every game!

I'd agree with everything there except Keane. Don't want him as a manager for at least a few years. He would do a fantastic job for us if he was given zillions to spend but a limited budget and high expectations might just be too difficult for an inexperienced manager. Good point about Collins. Another one I wouldn't mind would be John 'Yogi' Hughes. Falkirk, despite having a gash lineup, play some decent football.

I think Strachan is away in the summer regardless of where the title ends. Too many people, both fans and respected ex-players have spoke out about the current team and some of the transfers.

I don't know who would be my personal (realistic) choice as the next manager but think we need to go with someone who has experience in winning. Don't want another manager who spent his earlier year fighting relegation like Srachan was with Coventry & Southampton. He is used to playing ugly football, and having this any win will do mentality, but we want to be a footballing side again. I want to see the the football we have come to expect from Celtic.

Yogi is a great shout, Completely agree with you on the Falkirk comment they play football on the ground.

But I still think Keano is a good man manager and he is a hoops man through & through so if he didnt think someone is trying there best they would be in for a right kicking from the man and I personally love the thought of him beating Gary Caldwell black & blue before flogging to Preston North End for 50k.

If Carlsberg did football managers....

50k for Caldwell?!?!? We'd be lucky to get £50

I was day dreaming when I wrote that post lol

to be fair Bilic has been whoring himself out to every club that gets linked with his name.

he will definately be in club management come the start of next season. he appears 'flattered' by every club that the papers ask him about

What the hell are you doing in this section?!?

Anyway, I doubt the Celtic board will go for someone as inexperienced at club managment as Billic. Could definitley see the sHammers pursue him to replace 'The Man'

i browse through the full forum when bored i like to see what you caber to.ssers are up to now and again!

i wouldnt mind Bilic at West Ham to be perfectly honest. although i would be dissapointed if it was any time soon. Curbishley needs time.

i hear Big John Barnes is looking for a route back into the Celtic Hotseat? second chance anyone?

I'd rather the Gretna financial advisor got on the books at Celtic than have Barnes back

I think Martin O'Neill would be good if he would ever leave Aston Villa. Knows Scottish football well and player respect him. Otherwise in realistic terms it would be Bilic despite his lack of experience at club level but I can see Keane getting pushed in which is a worry for the club. He might decide to bring Stokes and some other boys with him from Sunderland

Stokes would actually be a good player if he played for a side that played football. He was at Falkirk and was a massive hit, due to the fact that they knocked the ball around and he got involved and was able to hit the net. At Sunderland, the ball gets humped up the field to Kenwyne Jones, taking Stokes, and anyone else with a footballing brain, out of the game. Might sound ridiculous, but if Stokes played for Arsenal, he'd have more goals than what Adebayor has got so far.

Thats probably true. I have only seen him coming on as a late sub for Sunderland and not actually getting time on the ball or playing football, more like Rugby League...

Ivano Bonneti.

Or on a serious note maybe John Collins

If i was to suggest a candidate then I would probably say John Hughes is a good shout, yet i just can't see that happening and at Falkirk you could argue that he doesn't have a dressing room of particualrly known players and egos to do with, but he does get a poor squad playing good football. Helped by the legend that is Russell Latapy of course.