WHATEVER happens with regards to who manages Celtic next season, we now know it won’t be Steve Clarke.

After two incredible seasons at Kilmarnock, it’s 99 per cent certain that he’s going to take on the Scotland job.

The Scottish FA have got the right man.

Had Celtic moved for Clarke, I am sure most Celtic fans, me included, would have been happy with that.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: John Hartson: Karamoko Dembele is only 16 and has miles to go - but it’s right to believe the hype

For Kilmarnock to finish third this season above Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibernian, is absolutely magnificent.

I was at a dinner last week where the guests were asked to vote in various categories including manager of the year.

There were 25 people there and 23 voted for the man at Rugby Park.

Clarke has been heavily linked with Celtic before but that ship has now probably sailed.

But that doesn’t mean the Celtic lads won’t get to work with him.

In fact, I’m sure that Clarke will heavily rely on Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie, James Forrest and the rest. I may be biased, however, a good coach will know that the best players in Scotland play for the best team.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Jim Craig: This Celtic team has been disappointing in Europe - the new manager has to change that

And Clarke is a good coach.

It took a while for Brendan Rodgers to get a win against a Kilmarnock side which beat all the top six teams.

Clarke gets the best of players, which is a pretty handy skill to have as an international manager of one of the smaller countries.

He’s got good players but, again, I’ll stress that if Scotland are to qualify for Euro 2020, the core of the team must come from Celtic Park.

They are winners and the Scottish team could do with some wins.