Former Celtic boss John Barnes reckons the Hoops have missed a trick by overlooking Paul Lambert for the job of reclaiming the balance of power from Rangers.
Eddie Howe is set to be confirmed as the new boss at Parkhead in the coming days after a three-month wait to appoint Neil Lennon’s successor.
Barnes flopped spectacularly in his first management job in the east end of Glasgow - with Celtic finishing a then record 21-points behind their arch rivals at the end of his only campaign which saw him sacked after eight months.
Martin O’Neill was installed and led the club to an incredible Treble the following season - with Lambert pulling the strings in midfield.
Now, after setting a new unwanted record of finishing 25 points behind the Ibrox club, Celtic are close to appointing Howe as they look to fight back.
But Barnes - who accused the Hoops of complacency after winning 9 In A Row - reckons they should have pulled out all the stops to bring Lambert back to Paradise after his departure from Ipswich earlier this year.
He said: “I know many are rooting for Eddie Howe in the hope that he could help to turn around Celtic in the way he did with Bournemouth a few years back.
“And although Howe is a great manager with plenty of experience working with a struggling team, Celtic needs a Celtic man and therefore, I think that Paul Lambert would be a great choice. And he’s available.
“I know he’s said that he’s not interested but it’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
“He’s a Celtic hero, an experienced manager who knows the club, knows the team and knows the fans.
“Furthermore, the fans will give him time and they'll support him.
“And, without being disrespectful, I don't think Celtic, or Rangers, or any other team in Scotland for that matter, is at a stage, particularly from a financial point of view, to be able to attract the best managers in the world - and nor do they need to.
“They need to be realistic and find a manager that suits the team and someone they respect and look up to and therefore, Paul Lambert would be a fantastic choice.”
Barnes accused the Hoops of taking their foot off the gas as their hunt for an historic 10-in-a-row went up in smoke.
And he reckons the next man in charge faces a huge job changing the dynamic in the changing room before they can even think about catching Rangers.
Speaking to BonusCodeBets.co.uk the former Liverpool and England star said: “With all the success of Celtic over the last nine years, they became complacent, and that’s where it all went wrong.
“Before the season had even started, everyone, including the players, was of the mindset that they’d already won the league.
“A weakness that Rangers took advantage of. So now more than ever, the team needs to find a new strong figurehead that can come in and help guiding the team back to the top - it needs to be someone who can help the players to rebuild the team spirit and start to believe in themselves again.
“The players need to get behind the manager and become solid challengers next season.
“Whether they have money to spend to get better player than they have, or if they have to work with what they have, I don't know.
“But I do know that whatever it takes, the team needs to rebuild harmony and togetherness, the belief and the support and once they’ve done that, they can start dreaming about winning the league again.
“And Rangers is a great example when it comes to this - they’re all behind Gerrard and have been during the ups and the downs.
“Up until now, Rangers managers didn't get that. The Graeme Murphy's and the managers who came before, because as soon as they didn't compete with Celtic, they sacked the manager.
“Steven's first year, they may not have competed, but they understood that they were going in the right direction and that’s so important.
“So whoever takes over at Celtic, this is what they need to do to their next manager. They can't keep changing managers year in year out, if they don't win the league next year, then they just have to try again.”
Celtic had also been linked with Manchester City Academy chief Enzo Maresca but the Italian is closing in on a return home as manager of Parma.
Howe, above, is the man the Parkhead hierarchy are putting their trust in. But asked if an English challenger to Steven Gerrard - like Frank Lampard or John Terry - would make more sense Barnes said: “It’s important to remember that when Steven Gerrard went to Rangers, the expectations were much lower; and, it’s also important to remember that it took Steven three years to get to where they are now; so it wasn’t a quick fix.
“In his first year, they weren’t even close.
“Celtic isn’t going to turn to Lampard or Terry and say, take your time, find your feet; it’s all about delivering results - and quickly!
“I also think that, at this moment in time, Celtic need a manager with a connection to the club, which neither Lampard nor Terry have.
“And this is why Paul Lambert would be a great choice. I also think Lampard and Terry both lack the experience of a manager for a club such as Celtic. And especially now when all Celtic want is to beat Rangers next season.
“I hope they’ll look for someone with a bit more experience and knowledge of the Celtic game, someone who knows the history of the club, and will win over the fans.”
