Elliot backs Lennon for the job

Ex-Hoop Paul Elliott would like to see Celtic install a director of football who has a similar stature to Rangers manager Walter Smith. There is still a delay in announcing who will be manager for the new season as the board consider whether they need to appoint a director of football. Elliott has watched how his friend McCoist has worked as an apprentice under Smith at Ibrox for the last few years before he steps up to the helm at the end of next season. And the former Celtic defender believes working alongside someone of an equivalent calibre would benefit Neil Lennon as he takes his first steps into management.

Elliott said: "Neil is a very young man and I think experience is always vital. Ally McCoist has had an excellent mentor in Walter Smith, who has achieved so much and who is a top-class manager, with an impeccable CV. I think somebody of that magnitude would be a very positive acquisition for the club. I like Neil a lot and I think he is an outstanding individual. He has been a top-class player for Celtic, he has worked under an outstanding manager in Martin O'Neill and he is a very young manager who has tremendous potential. As far as I'm concerned, not only is he the future of Celtic, he is also the future of Scotland. Across the other side of the Old Firm, Ally McCoist is exactly the same. I've got a lot of respect and regard for Ally, he's a good mate of mine and they are two potential managers who I think can go a long way."

McCoist's relationship with Smith stretches back to his time as a player under the veteran Rangers boss and they alsop worked together with the Scotland national team. Finland coach Stuart Baxter has been linked with the mentoring role at Celtic and Elliott believes Lennon should have some say in who lands the job. He said: "If Neil gets the job as the manager, it's important that the manager can engage with the right individual. So I'm sure his opinion will be sought and so it should be as well. Neil is a mature enough man, he has worked with some great people in his career and I'm sure he will have a positive response with regards to working with the right individual. It's about partnerships, partnerships make things happen and I'm sure they will select the right type individual who will assist Neil in every suitable way possible."