IT would seem the only question Alex Neil would have needed to ask the Norwich City board yesterday would have been whether to sign his contract in blue or black ink.
Billy Reid knows from experience, however, it isn't always that straightforward.
Such is the gulf in resources between Scottish clubs and their English counterparts then even the most loyal tend to find their heads turned upon approach. It is a sad indictment of the Scottish game - or perhaps just a symptom of the large sums of cash swilling around the game down south - that even an English lower league position tends to be more financially rewarding than a top-flight post north of the border.
Neil, then, would only be human if he decided to end his 21-month stint in charge of Hamilton Academical for a new challenge with Norwich City, a bigger club and one sitting just three points outside of the Championship play-off places. The 33 year-old spent yesterday at Carrow Road having talks with the Norwich board and, barring an unlikely attempt by Accies to stand in his way, should be confirmed as their new manager before the weekend. "Let's be having ya," the Norwich hierarchy hopefully said during their attempt to woo their preferred candidate.
News of Neil's proposed move sparked recollections of a similar story featuring his predecessor. Four and a half years ago, it was Reid who was Scottish football's hot ticket, having guided Hamilton to a seventh-place finish in the Scottish Premier League. Swansea City, then of the Championship, made an offer to take Reid to Wales but, bucking the trend, he chose to stay put. Hamilton were relegated the following season, while Swansea turned to Brendan Rodgers who earned them promotion to the Premier League that same summer.
Reid left Hamilton in 2013 and is now assistant manager at Ostersunds in the Swedish second division, where Herald Sport broke the news to him of Neil's proposed move down south. Reid insists he has no regrets about not taking the Swansea job and expect his former captain and protégé to make the right decision for him and his family.
"Alex is still quite young in terms of his managerial career", he said. "I had maybe been at Accies for four years or so when the Swansea thing came up, so it's hard to compare. But this is his chance. If he feels it's the right time for him, he'll take it. I felt it wasn't the right time for me. But I don't look back. I'm working in Sweden now, enjoying it and things are going fairly well."
Scottish football does not feature prominently on the schedules of Swedish television broadcasters meaning Reid has not seen much of his former club in action this season. He is aware, however, of the great strides they have taken under Neil's guiding hand, a remarkable run that includes promotion to the Premiership last summer via a memorable play-off win over Hibernian, and then an even more impressive start to the current campaign. Should Neil decide the time is right to make the next move and try his luck in England - where he spent five years as a player -then Reid has little doubt he will succeed there, too.
"I don't see much Scottish football here over in Sweden but I know that Alex is doing very well at Hamilton," added Reid. "I can't say what Alex will do now but he's certainly wise enough and experienced enough to make his own decision, the one that suits him.
"He's been down in English football before and played in the Championship about 200 times. So he'll know the ropes, the venues, and all that kind of thing. I don't have any worries about Alex Neil at all in the management side of things. He's always known the game as a player so it's no surprises he knows the game as a manager at all. It's a fantastic opportunity for him and I'm delighted for him."
That Neil has achieved so much at such a young age is often difficult to comprehend. He would become the second-youngest manager in the Football League if he accepts Norwich's offer but Reid doesn't think his youth should be seen as a problem.
"People will point out that he's only 33 but Garry Monk is managing in the Premier League at the age of 35 so it can be done. I don't think Alex's age will put anybody off. He's a fantastic person and I wish him all the best."
Neil was enticed back north in 2005 because his wife was homesick but Hamilton made it worth his while. As well as becoming club captain, it was there that he first took his first steps in coaching under the watchful eye of Reid.
"He was my captain for eight years and I can't speak highly enough of Alex. He was a fantastic player when he worked under me and then we started him on the coaching side of things as well. I knew when I left Hamilton that the club was in good hands with Alex. He's made his mark really well and I'm sure players who have been playing under him will respect him. It will be a great opportunity for him if he decides to go for it and it's pleasing to see someone who has worked under you getting that chance."
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