STEVE CLARKE wasn’t in the running for the Celtic job this time around. The Scotland manager has his priorities elsewhere.
However, it could have been a different story back in 2014. Clarke revealed he had an interview with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond at the Irishman’s home in London.
Talking about it now, Clarke claimed he gave a great interview for the Celtic post and felt confident he might get the job. We all know that summer it was Ronny Deila that got the nod.
That was even after Peter Lawwell out Roy Keane off the Celtic position – Keane was Dermot’s first choice to succeed Neil Lennon back then.
Speaking to RecordSport, Clarke revealed what had happened:
“At the start of that summer, I was quite confident I’d come out the other side in a job of some kind.
“I met Dermot Desmond at his place in London and we had a good chat. I was interviewed by Brighton at around the same time.
“I had two really good interviews at two really good clubs and ended up runner-up in both.
“Celtic appointed Ronny Deila and Sami Hyypia got the Brighton job.
“So it was a little lesson for me not to be too confident about getting a job in future.
“It’s nice to be wanted, it’s nice to be invited for interviews but it’s not always certain a job is going to result.
“A few months later I went to Reading. The job didn’t turn out the way I thought it would, but I made the most of it then moved on.”
Steve made a name for himself at Kilmarnock and did an incredible job during his time at the Rugby Park club. This only highlighted more by Killie’s confirmed relegation from the top flight after 28 years.
The international boss became the first Scotland manager to qualify for a major tournament since Craig Brown led the side to France 98.
Clarke seems very content with this role as Scotland boss and Celtic have been looking to the future with an appointment imminent. Eddie Howe looks like the man of the moment.
