Celtic could do a lot worse than who Tam McManus wants in the hot seat at Parkhead.
Tam McManus has told Football Scotland that he wants Celtic to hire Steve Clarke.
The Scot has done a brilliant job since taking over at Kilmarnock in October of 2017, with the Rugby Park side set to finish third in the Scottish Premiership as things stand.
Celtic are on the hunt for a long-term successor to Brendan Rodgers, with Neil Lennon filling in on an interim basis.
Sunday’s defeat at Rangers won’t have done Lennon’s chances much good and, if the Hoops do hire a permanent Rodgers replacement, McManus hopes it’s Clarke.
He told Football Scotland: “I am on record as saying that Celtic should go for Steve Clarke as he knows the Scottish game inside-out and would be less of a gamble than a manager who has never worked here.”
Celtic fans might be a bit underwhelmed if it is Clarke, given that the likes of Roberto Martinez, Rafael Benitez and even Jose Mourinho have been linked.
But the Killie boss might be a solid appointment. Just ask Rodgers, who often struggled against him.
The Northern Irishman came up against Clarke on six occasions in the Premiership during his time in Scotland, winning twice, losing twice and drawing twice. Given the disparity in budgets, it’s quite an achievement by Clarke and maybe, just maybe, McManus hasn’t made a bad shout here.
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