Steve Clarke to Celtic: John Collins unconvinced Scotland boss is right man to replace Neil Lennon

Steve Clarke, Head Coach of Scotland has been linked with Celtic. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Former Celtic midfielder John Collins has argued that Scotland manager Steve Clarke is not the right man to replace Neil Lennon at Parkhead.

The Northern Irishman left the Hoops earlier in the week after an underwhelming campaign that has left the club trailing bitter rivals Rangers by 18 points.

In the immediate aftermath of Lennon’s departure, 57-year-old Clarke emerged as an early favourite to step into the dugout in Glasgow, but Collins is unconvinced that he has the right tactical approach to get the best out of the Bhoys.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “To be the manager of Celtic you need experience, you’ve got to play a certain brand of football and be successful with it.

“The manager of Celtic needs to be an offensive, attack-minded coach. The fans want victories but they also want winning in style.

“Stevie Clarke has done a terrific job with Scotland and Kilmarnock. Has he produced attacking, entertaining football? The answer would be probably not.

“His teams are organised, hard to break down, they defend deep. That’s not really a weekly basis with Celtic, they’re looking for three or four goals and victories with style.

“I think Stevie Clarke has done a brilliant job for Scotland and Kilmarnock but I don’t think he fits the profile for Celtic.”

Clarke has enjoyed a successful spell with the Scottish national side, losing just six of his 16 games so far, and leading his squad to this summer’s upcoming European Championships.

Prior to his time with Scotland, the veteran boss also spent a fruitful spell with Kilmarnock.