Clarke is the next Rodgers
Lee McCulloch believes Steve Clarke is the natural successor to Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.
Former Kilmarnock gaffer McCulloch, who was replaced by Clarke in October 2017, is full of admiration for the job he has done at Rugby Park.
He said: “Steve is on another level. He could go on to be the next Celtic manager if Brendan ever left. That’s how highly regarded he is.
“Steve is a big-time boss. He’s got pedigree from working with guys like Jose Mourinho in England and he comes across brilliantly. I love watching him on the touchline when I’m in the stand. He’s the complete package for me.
“I just see a calmness when I watch him. He’s a bit like Brendan in that regard.
“For younger managers like myself, it ’s easy to let the moment get away from you. You can get animated. It’s a big if but if Brendan was to leave Celtic, in Steve you’re talking about the natural successor.
“He knows the Scottish game inside out.”
McCulloch signed many of the players Clarke has taken to a new level this season.
He still can’t believe he picked up Eamonn Brophy for a snip and insists the Kilmarnock striker can play for Scotland.
McCulloch was stunned to discover that the 22-year-old was sat at home with no future at Hamilton Accies back in 2017.
He said: “When I watched Brophy for Hamilton, I felt he was their best player by a mile.
“The club obviously didn’t see it that way and he was just sat in his house, not even doing a pre- season. I had to go and get him because the boy is an unbelievable talent.
“He could potentially go for a lot of money yet he came in for next to nothing, in terms of footballers’ wages. I can see him playing for Scotland one day.”
Lee McCulloch spoke at GOALS Glasgow South to promote their #AcceptNo Substitutes campaign. That will see 5-a-side players across the UK burn 250million calories this January – to join a local game check out the new app for GOALS, the UK’s leading small-sided football provider. Visit www.goalsfootball.co.uk