Frank McAvennie has backed Eddie Howe to take over at Celtic and says it’s time John Kennedy left the club to ‘cut his teeth’ elsewhere.
Kennedy is currently in interim charge at Parkhead after Neil Lennon resigned in late February.
He has overseen three matches so far, following-up a win over Aberdeen with draws against Dundee United and Rangers.
Over the weekend, though, Howe emerged as the new favourite to be Lennon’s long-term replacement.
The 43-year-old left Bournemouth at the end of last season following their relegation to the Championship.
He had, of course, taken them from the depths of League Two to the Premier League, where they impressively remained for five seasons.
McAvennie says ‘Celtic need a total clearance’
For him to have the biggest impact in Glasgow, McAvennie says the slate would have to be wiped clean.
“I think Eddie Howe is a great coach, he’s done wonderful at Bournemouth, but he would have to bring his own backroom staff,” the ex-Hoops striker said in an interview with Football Fan Cast.
“Celtic need a total clearance. John Kennedy is up there with one of the favourites, but I don’t think the fans will want John to be the manager.
“He’s been there for four managers, but I think it’s time John went away and got a manager’s job. Celtic is too big a club for him to cut his teeth on.”
Transfer Tavern verdict
What’s interesting here is that McAvennie has taken a different line to former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, who worked of course with Kennedy.
Rodgers said earlier this month: “One thing is for sure, John being in the club is very important. If he didn’t get the job and another manager went in there, to have John Kennedy by your side is a great move.”
The Leicester City boss did go on to express his confidence that the 37-year-old would ‘go on and manage one day’ though, ‘whether with Celtic or another club’.
And it may be that Kennedy, now in the spotlight, sees an opportunity to launch his managerial career elsewhere rather than retreat into the background at Celtic.
In other news, Rodgers also weighed in on the captaincy debate at the club.