Celtic won’t make any move to tempt Rafa Benitez to Scotland until a decision is made over Neil Lennon’s future at the club.
Record Sport understands there has been no contact with the former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager despite frenzied speculation he was poised to rock up at Parkhead.
And there’s been no call made yet over Lennon’s position with chief executive Peter Lawwell’s promised review of the managerial situation due to be completed in the next week.
Benitez set the rumour mill in to overdrive after he quit Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Pro at the weekend and is expected to head back to the UK.
Celts made tentative contact with the Spaniard following the departure of Brendan Rodgers in early 2019 but the Champions League winner opted to make a £6million-a-year mega money move to the Far East.
Benitez is understood to be in no hurry to get back in the dugout in the immediate future despite interest from clubs in Germany and Italy.
The 60-year-old has also been linked to a return to Newcastle – where he was in charge for three years until 2019 – but he is not expected to entertain a second stint at St James’ Park while owner Mike Ashley remains at the helm.
Celtic are weighing up their options but there has been no discussions with Lennon as yet and the boss is continuing to approach Wednesday’s Premiership clash with Hamilton as business as usual.
Lawwell insisted back in December he would assess the club’s position in the New Year and it was hoped the performance in the Old Firm defeat at Ibrox and the mini-break to Dubai would ignite their season.
But Celtic have failed to win following the controversial Middle East trip that saw two players hit with Covid and 16 players and staff forced in to isolation.
The Hoops suffered damaging draws, twice with Livingston after a stalemate with Hibs, on their return – increasing the gap at the top to 23 points with three games in hand.
Lennon has admitted the 10 in a Row bid might now be beyond his men but he’s vowed to fight on in the job amid increasing pressure.
The Parkhead manager could also be facing a battle to keep hold of his top stars in the final week of the transfer window as several sides down south start to circle.
West Ham have been linked with a £35m move for Odsonne Edouard but there has been no official approach.
Brendan Rodgers at Leicester has admitted a January move is unlikely but is ready to pounce in the summer, while Arsenal and Spurs have had the French ace on their long-term watch lists with Edouard in the final 18 months of his contract.
