Hughes or Howe to take over the reins at Parkhead
“Eddie might not know Scottish football but it would not take him long to get up to speed and I think he has a decent track record,” he said. “I thought he did well at Bournemouth with the budget that he had and they played decent football.
“The pressure at Celtic is something that no one can really prepare you for if you haven’t seen it first hand. He really would need to try and just be aware of the magnitude of the job.
“Mark was my manager with the Wales national side and I think he would be a fantastic shout for the job, too. He is meticulous. Every detail is gone over and he’s someone that players like to play for.
“He was one of my heroes growing up and then when he took over the Wales job there was an immediate response from the players. He just commands respect.”
And Hartson also expects that there will be a substantial overhaul.
“I think so many clubs are going in the direction of a director of football and I think what you want is someone with real experience,” he said. “You want someone who knows all the nuances of the game.”
LEICESTER head coach Steve Borthwick hailed an “exciting day” after the Gallagher Premiership club made 10 contract announcements.
Eli Snyman, Marco Van Staden and Francois Van Wyk will join the Tigers’ forward pack for the 2021-22 campaign, while a short-term deal for Scotland prop Darryl Marfo
“Today is a very exciting day for everybody involved with Leicester Tigers,” Borthwick told the club website.
“We are excited about the additions of Eli, Marco and Francois next season and know they will be great assets to our club.
“Meanwhile, Darryl adds important depth to our pack.” starts immediately.
Borthwick also confirmed new deals for six players, including England prop Dan Cole and Fiji winger Nemani Nadolo.
He said: “To have experienced players like Dan and Nemani commit to what we are building is very pleasing and the Tigers community should be buoyed by their re-signings.
“Also, Jasper Wiese has been very impressive since arriving in Leicester this season and has earned this new contract on the back of not only his performances on the pitch, but also his commitment to the club and hard work off the field.”
Young trio Ollie Chessum, Dan Kelly and Academy graduate James Whitcombe have also signed new Tigers’ deals.
“I have spoken at length about the work we have put in behind the scenes to re-shape this squad and my want to have players who are willing to do the hard work required,” Borthwick said.
“Ollie, Dan and James are great examples of players who are not only working hard every day to improve, but also have a great passion for this club and understand what is required to represent this club, our community and supporters.”
SAM Curran hopes his Indian Premier League commitments do not see him miss the start of England’s Test summer. Curran has signed up for the Chennai Super Kings for a second successive year, but the 2021 IPL schedule puts him and the likes of Ben Stokes,
Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer at risk of missing the first Test of the summer.
The IPL play-offs take place from May 25-28 with the final set for May 30, while the start of England’s two-match series against New Zealand begins at Lord’s on June 2.
“Any time there’s England games in the summer you do want to play in them,” allrounder Curran said.
“You’ll have to see how the IPL pans out. I guess if you miss the qualification then most likely you’ll be available for those Tests. If you’re in the final it might be a bit different.
“Those New Zealand Tests have come into the calendar recently and there’s a lot of Test cricket.
“We’ve got those games against India as well, which will be a fascinating series and hopefully played in front of home crowds.
“I’ve got good memories from the India series in 2018 and I’m really excited for the India team to come over. Fingers crossed, I’m in those squads and hopefully playing.
“Every player wants to play in all three formats for England, that’s my goal.”
Curran has returned to the England bubble for this month’s two white-ball series
against India after missing the 3-1 Test series defeat to Virat Kohli’s side.
The 22-year-old was rested after January’s tour of Sri Lanka and arrived in India on February 26.
Curran spent a week in his hotel room in quarantine before returning to training ahead of the fivematch Twenty20 series in Ahmedabad. A three-match ODI series will follow in Pune.
“I personally find it very beneficial,” Curran said of his break before Friday’s opening T20 clash. “The bubbles are really tough from a player’s perspective, being away for long periods. I do feel really refreshed and raring to go for this white-ball series.
“Players react to bubbles in different ways, and it’s good that the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) have allowed us to get out and come back, mentally and physically fresh from that aspect.”
England are at full-strength for a T20 series which is being viewed as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup later this year.
The seventh edition of the tournament will be played in India in October and November, and Curran accepts that puts more focus on the forthcoming series.
He said: “It is a World Cup year in T20 and there’s a lot of emphasis on us doing well in India.
“Any time you play for England you’re going out there to win, so hopefully I can put some form together and get in that World Cup squad.”