Source: Team_Talk
Bhoys still a star attraction - Hartson
Former Parkhead hero John Hartson insists big-name managers will be queuing up to be the next Celtic boss - and rightly so.[LNB] Parkhead chairman John Reid revealed after Sunday's 2-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle that the search for a new manager is officially under way.[LNB]After finishing his tenure as interim boss in Gorgie with his eighth consecutive Scottish Premier League win, Neil Lennon must wait to see if he will be given the job on a permanent basis.[LNB]But former Hoops striker Hartson, speaking yesterday at the annual fundraising golf outing at Gleddoch Golf Club in support of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland, believes the Celtic board will have plenty of options.[LNB]"I don't think it will be difficult for Celtic to attract a big name as their manager," he said. "Celtic, like Rangers, are a giant of a club.[LNB]"It is great to be a part of a football team like this and there are plenty of big names that will come and manage Celtic.[LNB]"This is still absolutely a big pull for football managers as they are one of the biggest clubs in the world.[LNB]"It is a fantastic place to play your football as 60,000 supporters watch you every other week and you have great opportunities to win trophies.[LNB]"Before I joined Celtic, I played at big clubs like Arsenal and West Ham but I hit the real heights playing with Celtic.[LNB]"I scored goals regularly but I never got the adulation at Arsenal and West Ham that I did in Glasgow.[LNB]"I could walk down the street in London but in Glasgow I could hardly do that because of the adulation and respect that you got from the supporters.[LNB]"So this is a wonderful, wonderful place to play football and Celtic are a fantastic club and a massive pull for any manager."[LNB]However, Hartson is firmly in the camp of former team-mate Lennon.[LNB]The Welshman, who played for Celtic between 2001 and 2006, believes inexperience is the only reason Lennon will not get the job.[LNB]He said: "They will only pass him up for it on his lack of experience.[LNB]"There is no way they can judge him on results as they have been nothing but spectacular.[LNB]"Neil has gained 24 points out of 24 in the SPL. He had to narrow the gap behind Rangers, which he did, to six points, which is respectable.[LNB]"The Ross County defeat in the Scottish Cup was bitterly disappointing but he publicly slaughtered the players after that game and a lot of people gave him credit for that.[LNB]"So Neil would get my vote."
