Copyright glasgowworld
Efrain Juarez is among several names to have thrown their hat into the ring for the Celtic job as the ex-Hoops flop continues to make a name for himself as a manager in South America. The 37-year-old, who had a short spell at Parkhead during his playing career in 2010, emerged as a surprise contender earlier this week after being put forward to club chiefs as a potential option to succeed Brendan Rodgers in the hotseat. Juarez previously served as No.2 to Ronny Deila at three different clubs (New York City, Standard Liege and Club Brugge) before striking out on his own in Colombia with Atletico Nacional, where he guided the club to a league and cup double. Currently in charge of top Mexican side UNAM Pumas after being appointed earlier this year, the Scottish Sun report that Juarez is one of the names still on the table as Celtic officials prepare to whittle down their search to find their next permanent manager. It’s understood their shortlist is down to EIGHT serious candidates with a view to appointing a younger head coach, with Juarez, Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen and Ipswich Town gaffer Kieran McKenna among those in the running. In an interview last year, Juarez declared it was his “dream” to one day return to Scotland to manage a club in Glasgow, suggesting he has unfinished business. “I’m not going to say the club, for respect to the people already there. But for me, it will be a dream - and I am a dreamer!” he stated. “I had a good time (in Glasgow). It made me grow a lot. It’s a city that has a charm, that has a life. It is also the city where I met my wife, so I have a family because I have been there.” Follow our GlasgowWorld - Celtic Facebook page to get all the latest news stories on the Hoops It’s not the first time Juarez has intimated a desire to be a success story in the dugout. He is already clued up on the Old Firm fixture and fierce rivalry between Celtic and Rangers. In addition, he learned how to handle and get the best out of former Rangers talisman and Alfredo Morelos - a volatile striker who scored 78 goals in 178 appearances across six seasons in Govan. Despite only spending one season in Scottish football after being signed by Neil Lennon in a deal worth £2 million, the club remains close to Juarez’s heart - just as Morelos defended Rangers. They might still be on the opposite side of the globe, but the Old Firm fixture was never far from their minds as Juarez explained. He declared: “We talked before the derby earlier this season. I was saying, ‘We’re going to kill you’, and he was saying, ‘No chance, you guys have been lucky’, and how it was because of the referees that Celtic always win. “I like joking and always push it. I mentioned how we were in the Champions League and they were in the Europa League. I told him, ‘Yeah, you always play on Thursday, and we play Tuesdays and Wednesdays because the big clubs play Tuesdays and Wednesdays!’. “Alfredo got crazy because he has a big part of his heart for Rangers. But in that situation, we talk about how big that game has been.” Juarez continued: “As soon as I came here, I sat with Alfredo and I could see in his eyes he is a really good person with a good heart. Physically, he’s a tough guy. But when you eventually see his smile and he really talks to you, then you see an unbelievable person. “At the beginning we made a deal. I said he would get everything from me and all I expected in return was everything from him. Now he is one of my leaders and we have an unbelievable relationship. “On the pitch, he’s the same Alfredo that was in his prime at Rangers. He’s pushing himself, pressing high, keeping the ball, scoring goals, fighting for the team. I trust him 100 per cent.” Your next read: Roy Keane reveals Celtic message to Martin O'Neill as Paul Scholes spots manager's hilarious Parkhead grumble
