Steve Evans believes former Derby County manager Frank Lampard would be the ideal choice to become Celtic’s new manager following Neil Lennon’s exit, The Sun report.
Lampard is currently without a job after his sacking from Chelsea.
Celtic, meanwhile, are on the lookout for a new manager after Neil Lennon’s recent exit following a poor campaign which has seen Rangers take over at the top.
The Gers are on the verge of ending Celtic’s nine-year reign as Scottish Premiership champions as they sit 18 points clear with only seven games remaining.
Speaking to The Sun, Evans believes former boss Derby boss Lampard would have Celtic fans in their thousands greeting him upon arrival as he backs him for the job.
“He’d inspire the proper side of Glasgow. Celtic need to appoint the highest profile manager. Lampard would inspire by the way his teams are set up and also by the way he believes in young players which he demonstrated at Derby and Chelsea. Plus he could do it by his presence alone, just like Steven Gerrard at Rangers. If Frank was announced as Celtic’s new boss, and supporters were allowed back in the stadium, there would be 60,000 fans welcoming him at Glasgow Airport,” Evans explained.
Lampard began his managerial career at Derby in the 2018-19 campaign.
With the help of talented stars such as Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Harry Wilson on loan, Lampard guided Derby to a playoff final where they lost 2-1 to Aston Villa.
The former Chelsea manager was then offered the top job at Stamford Bridge, and even the most ardent Rams supporter knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse.
Lampard, however, lasted just 18 months at Chelsea before being dismissed.
His reputation has taken a hit, and it may be in Lampard’s best interests to pursue the vacant Celtic job and to rebuild his managerial standing north of the border.
Celtic are still a big pull for players. Moreover, they have European football to offer while Brendan Rodgers has shown how the Hoops can provide a path back to a Premier League job.
Derby, meanwhile, have given another former England international Wayne Rooney his first job in management and the early signs suggest he is also capable of going to the top.
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