Lisbon Lion Jim Craig reckons Brendan Rodgers can continue to make his mark on Celtic and help put Scotland back on the international map.
Hoops great Craig was at Hampden on Sunday night to be inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame along with the rest of Celtic’s 1967 European Cup-winning team.
While in the national stadium, he was probably tempted to knock on the door of the SFA chief and gave him his own views on the direction the Scotland team is heading.
After another doomed qualifying campaign, which ended with Gordon Strachan leaving his position as manager, the Hampden powers-that-be are in the hunt for a new man at the helm.
And Craig, 74, reckons Celtic gaffer Rodgers could be the ideal man for the job even if the weight of combining club and country could be a heavy burden to bear.
Craig said: “Brendan Rodgers certainly has the capability of managing Celtic and Scotland but whether he would want to do it is another matter.
Read more: Andreas Hinkel: Bayern Munich aren't unbeatable - Celtic can capitalise on their defensive disarray
“It’s an enormously big decision for the SFA who they appoint next because Euro 2020 games will be played at Hampden and it would be hellish if we weren’t there.
“It puts even more strain on the incumbent, whoever that may be. Of the names being put forward very few are in football at the present moment - at least Brendan is.
“If he felt he was up for it I’d have no qualms about saying ‘yes’. He picks players who are on form which not every manager does. They pick players who think would be the best player for the job. If you have someone who is on song then why not pick him?
Read more: Patrick Roberts believes Celtic can rise to occasion of Bayern Munich test
“The two form players in Scotland right now are Leigh Griffiths and Callum McGregor. Just think - if wee Gordon picked McGregor then things might have been different. Brendan is much more vibrant than Ronny Deila, who was laid back in comparison. He knows what he wants. He’s also given the opportunity to give a few younger guys a chance which is great.
“Big Jock combined both jobs in 1965 but it’s a different generation, although I think he (Rodgers) could do it.”
The most pressing issue for Rodgers at the moment is the upcoming Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich.
Read more: 1966 and all that as Celtic great John Clark reflects on Bayern battle
Celtic travel with purpose and confidence having kick-started their group campaign with a fine 3-0 win in Anderlecht. Following the 5-0 home reversal to PSG in the opening round of matches, the Belgian blitz was a timely tonic.
Craig added: “PSG were as good a team as I’ve seen at Celtic Park and sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say ‘well done’.
“Bayern play in a better league than we play in so they meet better teams on a weekly basis. We have to raise our game to meet expectations in the Champions League.
Read more: Bayern Munich defender warns Celtic of Champions League pummeling
“The key now for Celtic is to win their remaining two home games and try to pinch a point away from home.
“I’m really hopeful Celtic get to the next stage of the Champions League and it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility. They had their bad night against PSG.”
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel