Former Chelsea midfielder and assistant manager Eddie Newton believes ex-Blues defender Steve Clarke could be a better fit for the vacant Celtic manager’s position ahead of Frank Lampard.
Neil Lennon stepped down on Wednesday after a disastrous defence of the Hoops’ league title, with the reigning champions 18 points behind Rangers and almost certain to be denied an historic tenth-straight crown.
Lampard has been installed among the favourites to take over at Parkhead following his Chelsea departure in January with reports claiming he is “open” to the idea but any is unlikely until the summer.
That would put him up against his former England teammate Steven Gerrard, in charge across the city at Rangers, but Newton believes Scotland boss Clarke is the man for the job.
Clarke, who made more than 300 appearances for Chelsea between 1987 and 1998, has led Scotland to the European Championships, their first international tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France, and has domestic experience with Kilmarnock in his homeland and West Brom in England.
“He has done extremely well with Scotland and extremely well in the Premier League, he has been a Championship manager and now he’s a national team manager so he has the pedigree to go into Celtic,” Newton, who served as Lampard's assistant at Chelsea before joining Trabzonspor, told Sky Sports.
“I know him personally. He is a fantastic character who doesn’t mince his words. A typical Scottish guy who doesn’t mince about with his words.
“But he is a good guy and right at this present moment he would be a very good candidate for Celtic.”
Lampard has been installed as fourth favourite behind Clarke, former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe – a long-term target for Celtic – and caretaker boss John Kennedy who could feasibly now hold the role until the summer.
“I think Frank will still be licking his wounds,” Newton added.
“He will be keeping an eye on all different scenarios that are happening. It’s that horrible part of the job - looking at other managers and seeing their demise and maybe that’s a chance for you to step in.
“He will be doing the same at this present time. Whether Celtic is something he’s looking at only he will know.”
