Kerr: Celtic switch will be smooth

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr is confident there will be a smooth transition at Celtic when one reign ends and another begins over the next few days.

After five successful years at the Parkhead helm, current manager Martin O’Neill will bid an emotional farewell tomorrow when the Bhoys face Dundee United in the Scottish Cup final.

O’Neill has chosen to bow out to take care of sick wife Geraldine, paving the way for former Southampton and Coventry boss Gordon Strachan to return to management following a lengthy spell away to rekindle his enthusiasm for the game.

Strachan, who takes over on June 1, faces a difficult task in stepping into the shoes of the popular O’Neill, whose reasoning for standing down has merely added to the welter of support behind the Irishman.

O’Neill will at least return to Celtic Park one final time on Sunday, albeit standing in the background while long-serving star Jackie McNamara enjoys a testimonial, with Kerr’s Ireland providing the opposition.

When the match was arranged, providing an ideal warm-up ahead of the impending World Cup qualifying games with Israel at Lansdowne Road on June 4 and the Faroe Islands in Torshavn four days later, Kerr did not envisage heading to Glasgow with Celtic in such a transitional period.

“Last Sunday was a very disappointing day for them, losing the title the way they did,” reflected Kerr.

“Being four points ahead and with two matches remaining, it looked like they would go on and win the league.

“So it has been well documented as to how disappointing a day it was for everybody, but at least they are in the cup final.

“As for the change of manager, it happened very suddenly without too much speculation, and I think it has been handled smoothly.

“Usually in a situation like that there’s an awful lot of speculation that goes on for a long time, in particular if a manager is going to go and who will be the new man.

“But Celtic have gone about it very well, and in Gordon Strachan they have a man who is very familiar with the whole Celtic ethos and Scottish football, and I think it will be a smooth enough changeover.

“However, I’m sure it’s one no Celtic player, fan or director would have wanted given the marvellous success they have had and the marvellous job Martin O’Neill has done over the five years he has been there.

“I’m sure they are concentrating on trying to win the cup tomorrow to make something out of the season, so they at least pick up one of the major trophies.”

Manchester United trio Roy Keane, John O’Shea and Liam Miller will link up with Kerr’s squad tomorrow given the extension to their season following last Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal.

They will be joined by Spurs duo Robbie Keane and Andy Reid given the White Hart Lane club’s end-of-season sojourn to Mauritius, while Chelsea winger Damien Duff arrived in Dublin today.

That gives Kerr a complement of 21 players, with the likelihood all will be given a run out to ensure they are match sharp for the vital double-header with Israel and the Faroes.

“If it’s practical I may use them all,” confirmed Kerr.

“I don’t like to break up matches with substitutions, but it will be my intention for the majority of the squad to play, with five or six substitutions at half time.

“Everyone will be given a decent spell on the pitch, in particular those that didn’t get a decent run of matches towards the end of their domestic seasons.

“The main thing for me is to get the players involved, which makes the game important enough.

“Because of the break from the end of the Premiership season – and in particular the Championship – to the Israel game, it is appropriate they are given a run out.”

Liverpool defender Steve Finnan today underwent a scan on the thigh strain sustained during Wednesday’s momentous Champions League final victory over AC Milan, with “nothing serious” reported according to Kerr.

Finnan will link up with the rest of the squad next week, along with Leicester’s Alan Maybury who is recovering from a back injury, and Ian Harte who completes the Primera Liga season with Levante this weekend.