Chris Sutton has suggested Mick McCarthy as a possible contender for the vacant Celtic job.
The Cardiff City manager has been linked with the Parkhead role this week after his stunning impact in south Wales.
McCarthy arrived with the Bluebirds languishing in 15th place after a poor first half of the season under Neil Harris.
Appointed to initially steady the ship, McCarthy has fulfilled his intended brief and then some, with two draws and six wins on the bounce propelling them into the play-off places.
That form hasn't gone unnoticed elsewhere, and Sutton believes McCarthy could be an "interesting one" following the departure of Neil Lennon.
BT Sport pundit Sutton believes high-profile names such Rafa Benitez and Robert Martinez could be out of reach for the Scottish giants, but someone like McCarthy - or Stoke City's Michael O'Neill - could be the right fit for the club.
“It’s a really, really difficult one," Sutton said when asked who he would like in the Celtic Park dugout.
"Maybe Celtic have something up their sleeve and will pull somebody in from the continent with a big reputation.
“I think somebody like Michael O’Neill has done a pretty decent job throughout his management career. Maybe have a shot for somebody like him.
“I’ll tell you an interesting one down south. Mick McCarthy’s gone into Cardiff City and turned them around. He may not be everybody’s cup of tea but you sort of know he will organise his team and get them playing a certain way.”
McCarthy is contracted until the end of the season at Cardiff City Stadium but there will no doubt be discussions behind the scenes about extending that deal, such is the job he has done in south Wales.
The manager has also expressed his desire to have another crack at the Premier League.
"I'm cool with [the length of the contract] and if I earn a longer-term deal out of it, then good for me. If I don't, it's my fault," McCarthy said after taking the job last month.
"I guess I've got to earn that long-term deal with my performance and the performance of the players."
Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has recently spoken in glowing terms about the job McCarthy has done in the Welsh capital.
"I am very happy, very pleased, Mick McCarthy has done a great job in a short while," he told talkSPORT. "Definitely, any owner would be very pleased with this performance.
"So I really am very happy and thankful that Mick and all his boys did a great job.
"Of course (this needs) everybody's co-operation and the team have stepped up very well under Mick's leadership.
"Hopefully we can do better, hopefully we can get into the play-offs."
Fformer defender McCarthy has links with Celtic, having spent two years there as a player between 1987 and 1989, winning three trophies during that time.
