Chris Sutton has tipped Ange Postecoglou to make a sensational return to Celtic after Brendan Rodgers resigned as the club’s manager.
Rodgers leaves Celtic sitting second in the Scottish Premiership after nine matches, though they already trail the resurgent Hearts by eight points.
Postecoglou managed Celtic between 2021 and 2023, winning the Scottish Premiership twice, but has been out of work since his dismal spell at Nottingham Forest was cut short this month after he failed to win any of his eight matches in charge.
In spite of that miserable stint, Sutton thinks the former Spurs boss could be Celtic’s best bet to replace the outgoing Rodgers, with Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna and Ferencvaros’ Robbie Keane also reportedly among the candidates.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sutton said: “I think Ange would be a smart appointment. He was loved the first time around. His brand of football went down well in Glasgow.
"He is out of work. I think it would be a pretty obvious choice, a good choice, and would bring positivity back to Celtic, which they need right now."
Martin O’Neill has been brought in as interim head coach while the Celtic hierarchy search for a permanent replacement. The Northern Irishman returns to the club 20 years after his first managerial stint there ended, and he has received a hero’s welcome.
Rodgers, though, left under a cloud. After his resignation was announced, Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond issued a scathing statement accusing Rodgers of lying about his dealings with the club’s executives.
Sutton added it was clear to see that Rodgers wanted to take his leave from Celtic: "Brendan, with some of the stuff he's said in the recent past, [I thought] he wants out. There has clearly been a breakdown with the club hierarchy.
"It stems to the start of the season when Brendan went public, and was critical of the lack of quality coming into the club. He felt let down.
"Celtic were knocked out of the Champions League qualifier. It has been a really slow start to the season. They have lost quality players and haven't replaced them. He felt that he wasn't backed.
"Dermot Desmond's statement is very critical of Brendan. Whenever there is a breakdown it is inevitable that something has to give."
For whoever takes over at the helm, though, Sutton thinks there is a mountain to climb.
"Whoever is taking over, the squad is decimated by injuries to top players. There isn't strength in depth. The next 16-17 games until January, the squad will come under pressure.”
