Chris Sutton makes case for who next Celtic manager should be as Premiership rival boss 'ticks so many boxes'
The former Celtic and Chelsea striker believes one man is tailor made for the job.
Chris Sutton has made a case for who he thinks the next Celtic manager should be after Martin O’Neill.
Despite his popularity, the veteran coach is set to make way at the end of the season after three spells at the club. Sutton, who was mentored by O’Neill at Celtic from 2000 to 2005, wants the new man to have an understanding of Scottish Football and someone that knows how to play on the front foot.
Roberto Martinez has been the latest name to be linked with the permanent position, given the fact the Belgium boss has worked alongside Shaun Maloney, who is likely to remain at the club whoever the new gaffer may be. While Martinez has an understanding of the Scottish game from his playing days at Motherwell, Sutton believes another Steelman would be better suited to the role.
Askou ‘a great fit for Celtic’
The former Celtic marksman thinks that Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou is the obvious candidate for the soon-to-be Parkhead vacancy. After finishing 8th last season, the Dane has worked miracles in Lanarkshire with his side currently on the fringes of the title race. Askou has been praised not only for his ability to get results at Fir Park, but also his free-flowing brand of football.
He told Record Sport: “I’m now convinced Jens Berthel Askou would be a great fit for Celtic. You watch his Motherwell team and you can’t help but be impressed. They’re arguably the best side to watch in the country. He’s managed to build a team that is solid defensively, superbly maintains possession and creates chances – and all on a fraction of the money spent at other clubs.
“It’s been a remarkable job. I’ve never seen a Scottish team do what Motherwell has done this season – and that’s dominate against Celtic and Rangers. Usually teams set up to try to stop the Glasgow clubs playing. Instead it’s been the other way around this year.”
Desmond needs to take advantage of opportunity ‘on Celtic’s doorstep’
Sutton also mentioned that despite his critics, Celtic’s largest individual shareholder, Dermot Desmond has made some successful appointments in years gone by. He continued: “I’ve also been impressed with the way he communicates in the media. He just ticks so many boxes for me.
“It’s hard to know what Dermot Desmond will be thinking as he’s shown in the past he’s capable of making bold, big name appointments, like Brendan Rodgers and O’Neill first time around. There’s been a lot of talk around Martinez, and that’s been there for a number of years now.
“But I just think there is a guy on Celtic’s doorstep who is showing a lot of positive attributes to be a success at the club. It would be fascinating to see how he would do with more resources.”