Emile Heskey believes Eddie Howe is the ideal man to take over at Celtic, telling HITC that the former Bournemouth boss has plenty in common with former Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers.
Three weeks after Neil Lennon cleared out his office and brought an overdue end to his second spell in the Parkhead dugout, we are no closer to finding out who his replacement will be.
Do Celtic want a disciplined, defence-first pragmatist a la Mick McCarthy or Michael O’Neill? Or a philosophical up-and-comer; a Frank Lampard, an Enzo Maresca, an Eddie Howe?
Of course, there are a few non-negotiable attiributes any Celtic manager must have.
He must be capable of turning promising youngsters into top-class talent, giving youth a chance while presiding over an attractive, exciting style of football which allows Celtic to not only win but win with style.
“Looking at what Celtic had, looking to where they got to with Brendan Rodgers, I think they need someone of that same ilk,” says Heskey, the former England, Liverpool and Aston Villa striker.
“Someone who has the same mindset, the same philosophies, working with and improving individual players. Eddie Howe is kind of that ilk.
“Brendan did so much, he created so many big names and players, Edouard and people like that. I keep saying about ‘Brendan, Brendan, Brendan’ but that’s what I think the fans want.”
While Howe’s time at Bournemouth ended in relegation, it should not be forgotten that it was he who took the South Coast club from League One to the top-flight in the space of just seven seasons.
And The Cherries didn’t just survive in the Premier League during their first four years; they thrived, at least for a time, with Josh King, Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser establishing themselves as top-flight players under Howe’s tutelage.
But whoever Celtic choose to lead the riposte against Rangers, whether it be a Howe, a McCarthy, a Maresca or an O’Neill, they will have their work cut out bridging the growing gap between one Glasgow giant and another.
“They have to get it right because Stevie is doing a wonderful job at Rangers, and that’s your main rival,” Heskey adds.
“You’ve got to get it right to get on par with them, or get better than them.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
