FORMER Celtic midfielder Shaun Maloney reckons it's 'impossible' to say whether he and Roberto Martinez could be the new permanent managerial team at Parkhead following Neil Lennon's departure.
First-team coach John Kennedy has been put in charge of the Hoops in the interim and recorded a 1-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday in his senior management debut.
Speculation abounds over who could replace Lennon on a permanent basis however, after the Northern Irishman tendered his resignation earlier this week.
One of the more high-profile names being linked with the vacancy is Belgium manager Martinez, who is assisted by Maloney in the international set-up.
Maloney - who made over 150 appearances in two separate spells in Glasgow's east end - is highly thought of in coaching circles and his connection to the club could make him an attractive candidate to the Celtic hierarchy.
READ MORE: John Kennedy provides update on former Celtic boss Neil Lennon
But the former Aston Villa and Wigan midfielder has cooled those links - insisting that it's too soon to say who the runners and riders to replace Lennon could be.
Speaking on Sportscene, the BBC's Scottish football highlight show, Maloney said: "It's an impossible question for me to answer.
"I have to show respect to the federation that have put massive faith in me.
"From a sporting point of view, I really hope that Celtic, whatever decision they make, they make it quickly.
"These decisions have to be made.
"They can definitely fight for the title again next year and the big thing they need to do, they have to get that connection with the supporters.
"If that's not there then they're not going to be able to fight."
Maloney's co-pundit and fellow former Scotland internationalist James McFadden agreed, adding that Martinez may prove too be too ambitious an appointment for Celtic to realistically get it over the line.
"It's tough because you have to look at realistic options," he said.
"Roberto Martinez is the manager of the number one-ranked team in the world. It's a big ask.
"I know that Shaun's maybe got a pull to Celtic.
"It's a tough question because what route are they going down?
"They need to get a sporting director in place, they need to know what kind of brand of football they want to play and I think they need to do that quickly.
"As Shaun says, get the guy in now to start planning for next season."
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