Baxter looks right for Hoops - Smith

Scottish football veteran Alex Smith believes appointing Stuart Baxter to a director of football-style role at Celtic could be a great idea. Smith believes Baxter's lack of coaching experience in the country would not necessarily be an obstacle.The Finland coach has reportedly been identified as the man to mentor Neil Lennon if the interim Hoops boss lands the job on a permanent basis.Despite often being linked with jobs north of the border, he has no experience of coaching in Scotland but does boast a varied CV with spells in Sweden, Norway, Japan and South Africa.Baxter - who is English-born and was raised in Scotland - has been manager of the Finnish national side since 2008.Smith said: "He has been working in football for a long time as a coach and manager, although I've never met him."Like everyone else, I've just seen his history and that he has worked abroad the whole time."He has not worked in Scotland - but that doesn't mean to say he is not good at his job."Smith believes Lennon would benefit from having an experienced coach working alongside him at Celtic - but insists he must also be given his place as manager.The 70-year-old works as assistant manager and first team coach to Steven Pressley at Falkirk and believes the combination of veteran and rookie works well.But he says a similar partnership will only work at Celtic if Lennon - like Pressley - is allowed to fulfil his role as manager and make the key decisions."Whoever goes in has to realise that Neil is there in his own right as the manager," said Smith."If Celtic decide he is to be the manager, then he has to be seen to be the manager."Whoever goes in to work with him is there to lend his support, offer advice and anything else he has to offer - but it's got to be understood that Neil is the man where the buck stops."The former St Mirren, Aberdeen and Dundee United manager added: "I don't know how the roles are going to be set out at Celtic."Knowing Neil Lennon, I think he will manage all first team affairs and he will be in charge of the coaching, team selection and, certainly, recommending all the signings and players."I don't know what role Stuart Baxter will be asked to do there."

Source: Team_Talk