By Frank McAvennie

25th Jun, 2020 | 5:00pm

'I wish it was Hartson' - Exclusive: McAvennie reacts as Celtic announce new recruit

Frank McAvennie has claimed he would have liked John Hartson to have been appointed first-team coach at Celtic rather than Gavin Strachan.

The Centenary team member, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, suggested that he would have liked a club legend to have taken the role as number three at Parkhead.

The Hoops confirmed this week that the son of former Hoops manager Gordon Strachan would replace Damien Duff at Parkhead after the Irishman left his position earlier this month.

Gavin Strachan has spent the last 17 months as Peterborough United’s assistant manager – narrowly missing out on the Play-Offs with the League One side last season.

McAvennie reminisced on his playing career and the presence of Lisbon Lions such as Billy McNeill during his time at the club.

“Lenny has got the DNA in his blood,” he told Football Insider.

“John Kennedy has got it in his blood but Gavin will come in and his Dad will have told him what is expected and he will have been to Celtic Park many times when his Dad was manager.

“No disrespect to Gavin but I would have liked to have seen somebody like John Hartson come in.

“Even now, I would like him in amongst it. John has such incredible presence and the boys would respect him. I like seeing people like that around the club.

“When I was there we had the Lisbon Lions walking around the club and there was nothing better than that. You are looking at them thinking, “You won a European Cup.”

“You have to be a certain character to succeed at the Old Firm clubs.”

In other Celtic news, Noel Whelan has told Football Insider newest recruit can one day be manager of the club.

PLUS: Subscribe for free to our brilliant new YouTube channel for daily videos, interviews with our top pundits and special guests, and all the latest insight into the club you love.