John Hartson rules out Roberto Martinez for Celtic job on financial reasons

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The Celtic Star

·9 April 2026

John Hartson rules out Roberto Martinez for Celtic job on financial reasons

John Hartson has questioned whether Dermot Desmond would be willing to provide the financial resources needed to attract a manager of Roberto Martínez’s calibre to Celtic…

Speaking alongside Frank McAvennie, Hartson offered a blunt assessment of the Hoops’ managerial situation, highlighting the scale of the rebuild required at Celtic ahead of the summer window.

With the Scottish champions facing the potential prospect of losing the Scottish Premiership title to either Hearts or the Ibrox club, Hartson argued that any manager of Martínez’s level would require significant investment to revitalise what he believes is a squad in decline.

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John Hartson, at the Celtic Star Books launch at the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park for Matt Corr’s Majic, Stan and the King of Japan in October 2023. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Hartson said via Let Me Be Frank Podcast: “He [Dermot Desmond] needs to spend money. If he wants to bring in any manager of worth, then he has to give him money. If they aren’t going to win the league this year, they aren’t going to win it next year with this group of players.”

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 Dermot Desmond and Thorbjorn Olesen DEN winners of the team event receiving there silver salvour from Peter Dawson Alfred Dunhill Links Trust after the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2024 on the Old Course at St. Andrews Golf CLub, Fife, Scotland. 06/10/2024. Picture Fran Caffrey / Golffile.ie

Martin O’Neill is pushing hard to deliver a fourth league title as Celtic boss, yet regardless of how the campaign concludes, there is a growing sense that sweeping changes will be unavoidable in the summer, with a major overhaul required across the club.

Meanwhile, Roberto Martínez remains focused on his role with Portugal, as he gears up for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament in which his side are widely considered among the leading contenders.

However, even if Martínez were open to a move to Celtic, Hartson believes the real obstacle would not be timing or availability, but rather deeper structural issues behind the scenes.

The ex-Wales international argues that a manager of Martínez’s profile is likely beyond reach, citing Celtic’s long-standing hesitation to invest heavily as a key barrier.

1988: Frank McAvennie of Celtic celebrates after the Scottish Cup Final match against Dundee United at Hampden . Celtic won the match 2-1. Photo: Allsport

Frank McAvennie has echoed similar concerns, questioning whether Dermot Desmond will loosen the purse strings this summer, particularly after what has been a mental season on and off the pitch.

Hartson was unequivocal in his response, warning that maintaining the status quo is not an option and cautioning that failure to act decisively could result in Celtic falling short in next season’s title race.

McAvennie said: “If he goes for the boy at Motherwell [Jens Berthel Askou], it’s a cheap option. If he goes for him, then it means he isn’t going to give him the money that we need.”

“If he goes for somebody like Martinez, he is going to say, like Martin [O’Neill], ‘This team is poor we need players.’ We need a manager who is going to come in and do that. I don’t think Dermot will offer it, that’s for sure.”

Celtic v RB Leipzig – UEFA Champions League – League Stage – Celtic Park Dermot Desmond in the stands ahead of the UEFA Champions League, league stage match at Celtic Park, on Tuesday November 5, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Hartson then responded to McAvennie’s comments by saying: “He [Desmond] needs to [spend money]. If he wants to bring in any manager of worth, then he has to give him money.”

“Otherwise, Celtic, if they aren’t going to win the league this year. He has to spend money, for goodness sake. If they aren’t going to win the league this year, they aren’t going to win it next year with this group of players. He has to spend money, whoever he brings in.”

“The manager, whoever comes in, will want to get us back into Europe. Achieving Europe. Get back to winning leagues. We have come off it. Way off from where we were.”

“As I said before, we are the champions of… Scotland. We are the current champions. We were a penalty away from winning the Treble.”

“Do you think Martinez will come without wanting a £30 million war chest? You aren’t going to get Martinez because he is going to demand too much money.”

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