Don’t Kid Yourself’ Dykes Hits Back at O’Hara as Celtic’s Managerial Hunt Sparks Fresh Debate Over Club Status

Former Celtic striker Simon Dykes has launched a robust defence of the Scottish champions after Jamie O’Hara questioned whether the club can still call itself “massive” while considering an MLS coach for the vacant manager’s position.

The exchange took place during a heated Sky Sports segment amid ongoing reports linking Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy with the Celtic job. It is understood Celtic are actively assessing candidates from outside Europe, with the former Seattle and Montréal coach among those being monitored, while others such as Kieran McKenna and Graham Potter have been discussed but have not progressed.

O’Hara, however, used the situation to challenge the club’s stature.

“You’re looking at a manager from the MLS,” the former Tottenham midfielder said. “You can’t tell me you’re a big club if you’re looking at a manager from the MLS.”

Dykes: Size of Club Is Not Defined by League Perception

Dykes immediately responded, insisting Celtic’s global profile remains intact despite what he described as “English football’s constant sneering” towards Scotland.

“Do you even understand what we mean by ‘big club’?” he said. “We were beaten by Midtjylland recently  they’ve got 12,000 seats. Celtic have 60,000. Fifty-four thousand season ticket holders. A worldwide fanbase. It’s not even up for debate. You always have something negative to say about Scottish football, so I think you’re compromised.”

The argument escalated when Sky Sports displayed league-ranking data from Opta placing the Scottish Premiership 39th in the world for competitive strength behind MLS, the A-League and several emerging leagues. O’Hara used the statistic to reinforce his claim that Celtic have fallen behind.

But Dykes dismissed the graphic as irrelevant to the identity and stature of the club.

“I’m not comparing MLS to Scotland,” he said. “I’m talking about Celtic Football Club. Before the Premier League era, England wasn’t seen as the world’s premier league either. That didn’t make Manchester United a small club.

The Managerial Search Continues

Celtic have remained tight-lipped over their shortlist and internal process, but the club is believed to be casting a wider net than in previous managerial cycles. Nancy, who guided Columbus Crew to an MLS Cup title and has been praised for his expansive style of play, is considered one of the most progressive coaches in North America.

While O’Hara views his inclusion as a downgrade, Dykes argued the opposite.

“The game’s global now. Progressive managers don’t all come from Europe,” he said. “If Celtic want someone young, modern and forward-thinking, Nancy fits the bill. That doesn’t change the size or appeal of the club.”

O’Hara believes the key issue is Celtic’s inability to attract coaches with Premier League pedigree or sustained top-level European experience.

“If a top manager wants the job, he comes,” O’Hara said. “He’s clearly not coming. The club isn’t as big a pull as fans think.”

Supporters React as Debate Intensifies

The exchange has sparked a fierce response online, particularly among Celtic supporters who believe O’Hara is deliberately undermining the club. Many pointed to Celtic’s Champions League participation, historic Lisbon Lions legacy, financial strength within Scotland and worldwide following as evidence that the club remains among the game’s most influential brands outside of Europe’s top five leagues.

Others conceded that the Scottish Premiership’s profile is an issue – but rejected the idea that the league defines Celtic’s identity.

One former Celtic executive, speaking off-air, said: “Celtic’s size isn’t measured by who they can outbid for a manager. It’s measured by infrastructure, fanbase, history, finances and global reach. That hasn’t changed.”

A Familiar Argument

The debate taps into a long-running tension between Scottish and English football discourse. Scottish clubs have frequently argued that financial inequalities, broadcast disparities and media bias have distorted perceptions of clubs north of the border.

Celtic remain one of the few clubs in Europe who regularly draw crowds above 55,000 and are currently the 11th most followed team on social media among UEFA-affiliated clubs.

For Dykes, the argument is not about romanticism or past glories it’s about facts.

“Celtic are still a huge draw for coaches, players and sponsors,” he said. “We generate more fans at home than most clubs in England. We’ve sold out European games for 20 years straight. That’s what ‘big’ looks like.”

What Happens Next?

Celtic are expected to accelerate their managerial process over the coming days, with club sources maintaining there is no panic and no deadline. The new manager will be tasked with stabilising domestic dominance while restoring European credibility after consecutive disappointing continental campaigns.

Whether the next head coach comes from MLS or Europe, Dykes says the debate about club stature is settled.

“You can argue about league strength all you like,” he said. “But don’t kid yourself on Celtic remain one of the biggest football institutions anywhere in the world.”