FORMER CELTIC hero John Hartson insists it is no surprise to see ‘sought after’ boss Brendan Rodgers linked with succeeding Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. 

The Hoops chief is on a four-man shortlist for the post alongside Joachim Low, ex-Rangers midfielder Mikel Arteta and Monaco’s Ligue 1-winning head coach Leonardo Jardim, according to reports in England this week. 

Despite signing a contract until 2019 last summer, pressure has been piled on Wenger - whose Gunners side face Manchester City in the Premier League this evening - following their meek 3-0 surrender against the same opponents in last Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. 

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Arsenal are currently in sixth spot, 10 points off Champions League qualification.

And Hartson is adamant Rodgers deserves to be among the names in the frame, having added an Invincible domestic treble in Scotland and a place in the Europa League last-32 to his achievement of guiding Liverpool to a second-placed finish south of the border. 

“It doesn’t surprise me. Brendan is a top manager and he will get linked with jobs,” said Hartson, who played for Arsenal between 1995 and 1997. 

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“I know Scottish football gets criticised but he’s on the cusp of winning his second treble with Celtic. They made progress in Europe by getting through to the Europa League by beating Anderlecht in the Champions League.

“Brendan Rodgers is a very sought after manager. Celtic want to keep their manager who is absolutely revered in Scotland for doing such a great job.”