Mick McCarthy believes Celtic manager Martin O'Neill will not be able to resist the temptation of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Celtic supporters are desperate to hold onto O'Neill following last season's Treble-winning success and the Irishman now looks set to take the Parkhead side to the group stages of the Champions League for the first time.
But Republic of Ireland manager and former Celt McCarthy insists the chance to actually win the competition with the Premiership champions will tempt O'Neill to move to Old Trafford when Ferguson leaves at the end of the season.
He told the News of the World: "When a big job comes along you can't turn round and say 'I want to be the next guy.' There are parallels between the United situation and me taking over the Ireland job from big Jack (Charlton). Whoever goes there will be faced with the same situation I was as Sir Alex has become a United legend. But you can't do anything about that."
"Don't worry there will be a queue for Fergie's job when the time comes. The call will go out: 'Can you be in Helsinki for an interview on Monday?' They'll say 'But the job's in Manchester!' and United will reply 'Aye, but the back of the queue is in Helsinki.' In my mind there is no question what will happen if United come along for Martin," McCarthy said.
"At the risk of earning the fury of all Celtic fans, United is the biggest club around. People can tell me that Celtic has more season ticket holders or they're a bigger club or whatever. But Celtic aren't in the Premiership, United are. That means they can attract the best players, they can offer them the best wages and blah, blah, blah, all the things that goes with the money," McCarthy added.
"If anyone wonders what Martin would do, ask yourself this: What would be classed as a successful season for Celtic if they do make the Champions League? Reaching the second group stage, right? Now ask what would be classed as a success for United. Winning it, right? I don't have to articulate any longer. There's your answer!"
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
