Source: Team_Talk
Elliott: Hoops need class with Lennon
Paul Elliott would love to see Celtic appoint somebody with a similar stature to Rangers manager Walter Smith as director of football.[LNB] The Hoops are reportedly seeking an experienced coach to 'mentor' Neil Lennon should the interim boss be handed the job on a full-time basis.[LNB]Elliott has witnessed how his friend McCoist has learned the ropes under Smith at Ibrox for the last few years before he steps up to the helm at the end of next season.[LNB]And the former Celtic defender believes working alongside someone of an equivalent calibre would benefit Lennon as he takes his first steps into management.[LNB]"Neil is a very young man and I think experience is always vital," Elliott said.[LNB]"Ally McCoist has had an excellent mentor in Walter Smith, who has achieved so much and who is a top-class manager, with an impeccable CV.[LNB]"I think somebody of that magnitude would be a very positive acquisition for the club."[LNB]Lennon is expected to succeed Tony Mowbray as Celtic manager after securing eight wins from eight games in the Scottish Premier League in a caretaker capacity following Mowbray's departure last season.[LNB]Elliott added: "I like Neil a lot and I think he is an outstanding individual.[LNB]"He has been a top-class player for Celtic, he has worked under an outstanding manager in Martin O'Neill and he is a very young manager who has tremendous potential.[LNB]"As far as I'm concerned, not only is he the future of Celtic, he is also the future of Scotland.[LNB]"Across the other side of the Old Firm, Ally McCoist is exactly the same.[LNB]"I've got a lot of respect and regard for Ally, he's a good mate of mine and they are two potential managers who I think can go a long way."[LNB]McCoist's relationship with Smith stretches back to his time as a player under the veteran boss at Rangers and he also worked as a coach under Smith with the Scotland national team.[LNB]Finland coach Stuart Baxter has been linked with the mentoring role at Celtic and Elliott believes Lennon should have some say in who lands the job.[LNB]He said: "If Neil gets the job as the manager, it's important that the manager can engage with the right individual.[LNB]"So I'm sure his opinion will be sought and so it should be as well.[LNB]"Neil is a mature enough man, he has worked with some great people in his career and I'm sure he will have a positive response with regards to working with the right individual.[LNB]"It's about partnerships, partnerships make things happen and I'm sure they will select the right type individual who will assist Neil in every suitable way possible."[LNB]Meanwhile, Elliott has revealed how he advised Sol Campbell to jump at the chance of a move to Celtic after it emerged the Arsenal defender was a target of the Glasgow giants.[LNB]He said: "I know Sol very well and I was talking to him about a month ago. I said to him one thing - if you have the opportunity to go to Celtic, you must take it.[LNB]"He's 35, he's played in World Cups, the Champions League and I have to say he was consistently outstanding for Arsenal last season. He has been very injury-free in his career.[LNB]"Somebody of that magnitude, if Celtic were fortunate enough to get him, certainly would make a positive contribution.[LNB]"He has got a great regard for Celtic, there is no question about that.[LNB]"I think, come judgement day, Celtic is not the only option. There are other options to think about.[LNB]"He is a very nomadic kind of guy, very comfortable in his skin and I think he would deliver tremendous potential.[LNB]"Certainly, that kind of challenge would be very appealing."
