And Thomson, speaking on The Breakdown podcast, made a very interesting point on what he regards as a huge opportunity Celtic missed out on during the summer when they passed on the chance to bring former Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou into the club to replace Martin O’Neill. Mulgrew pointed out that Martin O’Neill was just a stopgap and would give the club time to sort out all the issues in the background, including sourcing a Head of Recruitment, improving the stadium and so on. Thomson explained his point: “I do think, and it’s easy viewpoint on how it looked last year, I did think how dramatic the last day of the season was, he should’ve just up sticks and left. But I still felt the club would be missing a trick. “I think Martin would’ve been a brilliant foil, mentor or sounding board, somebody to speak to, somebody to confide in as part of whatever that looked like for Celtic, for the new manager coming in. “Now he’s been the manager; he’s had it for a longer period of time rather than just short-term, you kind of feel as though Martin O’Neill wouldn’t work because he’s now attached himself to being the manager.” Charlie Mulgrew added his own thoughts saying: “If he walks away then, Celtic still weighed him in with good money because he deserved that because of what he did with the title and then gave it to a Jens Berthel Askou and let Martin O’Neill be director of football or be on the board or whatever.” Thomson agreed and was emphatic in his assessment on Celtic passing over Askou and instead offering the job to Martin O’Neill for one year with a second year option. “It’s the biggest trick Celtic have ever missed, not getting him,” he said. Mulgrew picked up on that, pointing out that : “It’s a big one, isn’t it? I think he would have been desperate for it. He was always at Celtic Park.” Thomson noted: “You think of the resources that he would’ve had at his disposal and the type of players. He would be as close as getting a replacement that I think Celtic fans have been pining for since Ange Postecoglou.” Have a listen below… HAVE YOUR SAY – Join the Celtic conversation in our comments section below… Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail! All very well back tracking, upon the managerial decision taken at the time? MoN wasn’t first choice, but seemed to be within the majority of our support? This despite the football getting produced last season, wasn’t of the highest standards, but just good enough in the end, to deliver another double winning season? Despite the knowing of a rebuilding squad process, having to be undertaken? The only real focus was placed upon, being a team able to score more goals? Fine in theory, but way too much left untouched all the same imo? The problems within our team set up, and style of play remains the same, with the same problems in existence. Getting magnified moreso this season, and brutally exposed moreso? When that is happening within the SPFL, then no chance of a decent European campaign is going to be on the cards? We have deteriorated into possibly, one of the worst teams in recent memories, without the football. And we are hardly good enough with the football to compensate that weakness either, on way to many occasions imo? What’s worst, is that the problems that were in existence last season? Hasn’t been addressed, despite so many players still in existence from last season? Only Baur, playing regularly is the only real addition, within the set up? And nothing on show in terms of development within our midfield or defensive set up still? Great case to be made, for ourselves actually worse as a team in that regards? No shortage of experience involved, with so many at international levels? But totally outclassed within European football levels still? No shortage of MoN tinkering with trying to find solutions, but not functioning, and again another case of becoming worse, with the introduction of subs? There’s nothing to suggest that MoN as manager, his coaching staff, along with players are all on the same page whatsoever? Development of players into a so called system of play, still can’t be achieved? This despite not a lack of players available? Regardless of the injuries occurred so far this season? More emphasis is placed upon actually scoring goals, as we aren’t capable of stopping them against us? We already have a worst goal of the season conceded in operation already? And the 2 on Sunday joining that list, in a very high position also imo? Usually a team is built from back to front, especially within a transitional period, which we were, with the amount of changes involved within the squad? The focus was placed upon the ability to score more goals? Fine in theory, but leaving the problems in existence from last season? Untouched and deemed good enough, is a very poor outlook as managerial decisions? And hardly helped by the coaching staff and players involved, especially established players at that? Didn’t think anyone really seen the dramatic standards dropping as badly as they have done? I certainly didn’t, especially within established players moreso? So hardly an environment for the newer players to really develop within? To much focus is placed upon recruitment, where development of players, is a far bigger problem to resolve? Especially within such a hectic footballing calendar in operation nowadays? MoN, maloney and fozzy are no longer capable of finding the solutions that are required? Not just for the remainder of this season, but beyond. Nowhere near close to decent European footballing standards, is a total embarrassment for our club to currently endure? But Scottish football standards couldn’t care less about European football standards, as shown in the coefficient? So a reset process is possibly required, especially during the international break? New ideas are required within the footballing department especially. Potentially carrying to much deadwood, whose better footballing days are long behind them? But potentially required to see out the remainder of this season? Yet longer term plans need to be put in place also, with the replacements that are required? So, recruitment is always high upon the agenda, especially within Scottish football? Personally believe that more focus is required upon the development of players more so imo? Recruitment is always going to be a hit and miss approach, especially within the money market we try to operate within? But that’s only really to suit the player trading model, and keeping the club financially self sufficient? To much focus is placed upon keeping individuals with Celtic connections in place, within our footballing department. OK for SPFL, but hardly helps break into the European footballing approach, especially without stability and development, not even on the agenda whatsoever imo? Trying to promote a draw in Munich, after playing catch up football, is nothing more than misleading imo? Hardly covers getting totally outclassed in dortmund and at villa either? So the hit and miss approach will remain in place within European football especially? All the while, we haven’t got a managerial and coaching set up, capable of producing a bigger and better focus upon player development. Also can’t remain as such a one dimensional style team, expecting to operate in the vast differences that exists within SPFL and higher ranking teams in European football? So players have to be able to adapt, and flexible, in both sides of the game in operation these days? The experiment with MoN was never going to be a longer term solution, to the problems in existence within our footballing department? No shortage of poor decision making has held our club back from actually moving forward. Unfortunately I no longer see MoN or his coaching staff able to press the reset button any longer? As to who maybe able to is only speculation at this stage still? But regardless of the outcome of the next 2 matches? Still believe that the reset button has to be pressed during the international break? Even moreso as players aren’t responding and producing anything close to there capabilities on a recurring basis also? For that, they either buck up or be shipped out? Which will be determined by January, with potentially more outgoing than incoming as things stand at present imo?