Celtic board must get next manager appointment right warns Parkhead hero Hartson

John Hartson has said Neil Lennon’s exit from Celtic is the correct call – but warned the club hierarchy must make a second correct move in appointing his successor.

John Hartson says the correct call has been made - and another one is necessary (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Steve Clarke is the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Lennon, however after months of speculation over his Parkhead future names including Eddie Howe, Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard have also been touted.

Less prominent names including Leonardo Jardim and Enzo Maresca and even Andriy Shevchenko are also linked and whoever takes over at his old club – Welshman Hartson insists the onus is on the board to make the right call by putting the best staff possible in place after a season that has “gone from one episode to another” under the former club captain.

Hartson has been among the critics of the performances under his old team-mate and told talkSPORT: “It’s the correct call. Celtic can get moving quickly in terms of appointing a new manager and I feel the club needs new staff as well.

“The player recruitment has not been good enough for a club like Celtic. There’s been episode after episode that has gone wrong.

“Neil Lennon has won numerous trophies at Celtic, both as a player and a manager, and we should respect that fact.

“But this season it’s gone from one episode to another one. Whether Neil has resigned or he’s been relieved of his duties we don’t know. But we have to believe he’s resigned.”

Defeat to Ross County proved the final act in a turbulent season as Celtic slipped 18 points behind Rangers in the title race.

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