Chris Sutton has named the man he believes should take over from Martin O’Neill at Celtic if the club decides to part ways with the Irishman after the international break and he insists he is “convinced” by him.
The outspoken pundit and former Celtic striker did not hold back when asked who should be next in the Parkhead hot seat, arguing that the club needs fresh ideas and a proper rebuild rather than another short-term fix.
Sutton has been a vocal critic of Celtic’s direction in recent months, repeatedly calling for major changes both on the pitch and in the dugout. With O’Neill’s future reportedly hanging in the balance following a difficult run of results, the former striker believes the board must act decisively and he already knows exactly who they should turn to.
“I watched a lot of Scottish football last season, and I’ll tell you this there was a team playing the best football in the country, and it wasn’t Celtic or Rangers,” Sutton said. “That was a team built on a fraction of the budget, and yet they were dominating possession, they were solid defensively, and they were creating chances. That doesn’t happen by accident.”
Sutton was particularly struck by how that side performed against the Old Firm a rare sight in Scottish football, where the two Glasgow giants have long dominated both the ball and the scoreline.
“I’ve never seen a Scottish team dominate Celtic and Rangers the way that team did last season. Never. And that tells you everything about the coaching, the tactical setup, and the ability to get players believing in something bigger than themselves. When you can go toe-to-toe with clubs spending ten times what you are and still impose your own game, that’s not luck. That’s management.”
That man, Sutton believes, is Jens Berthel Askou the Danish coach who transformed Motherwell into one of the most watchable and tactically disciplined sides in Scotland last season before departing for Toulouse earlier this year.
“Have you listened to him speak? He’s impressive. He’s clear, he’s thoughtful, and he handles the media with ease. That matters at Celtic. You need someone who can carry that weight, someone who understands the size of the club and the scrutiny that comes with it. He’s got that about him.”
Sutton believes the timing could be perfect, with O’Neill’s future reportedly uncertain after a difficult run of results both domestically and in Europe.
“If Celtic are going to make a change, they don’t need to look far. There’s a guy who ticks every box. Young, ambitious, plays the right way, and he’s already shown he can compete with the biggest clubs in Scotland on a shoestring.”
He added: “I’m convinced. If Celtic want to move forward with fresh ideas and a proper rebuild, Askou is the man. It would be fascinating to see what he could do with real resources behind him. Give him a proper budget, give him time, and I think he could do something special at Parkhead.”
Sutton acknowledged that Askou has just signed for Toulouse, but insisted that should not be a barrier if Celtic are serious about making the club great again.
“Let’s be clear yes, he’s just taken the Toulouse job. But that doesn’t mean Celtic can’t go and get him. If they want him badly enough, they pay the compensation, they make it happen. That’s what big clubs do. They identify their man and they go and get him.”
He warned the Celtic board against repeating the mistakes of the past, referencing the disastrous 33-day reign of Wilfried Nancy earlier this season.
“Celtic made a mess of the last appointment. Wilfried Nancy lasted 33 days. Thirty-three days. He won two of eight games, lost six, and was gone. That’s what happens when you don’t do your homework, when you don’t get the right fit. They cannot afford to make the same mistake again.”
Sutton’s comments will add further pressure on the Celtic board as they weigh up their next move, with the international break looming large over O’Neill’s future at Parkhead. The Northern Irishman has faced growing criticism from supporters and pundits alike, with questions mounting over his tactical approach, squad management, and ability to get the best out of a group that many believe has underperformed this season.
For Sutton, the answer is clear and he is not shy about saying it. Whether the Celtic hierarchy will listen remains to be seen, but the former striker has made his position unmistakable.
“If you want to move forward, you need to be brave. Celtic have always been at their best when they’ve taken a chance on someone with something to prove. Askou is that man. Pay the money, get the deal done, and don’t make the same mistake you made with Nancy. I’m convinced.”
