Celtic news: McAvennie reacts to appointment of Gavin Strachan

By Frank McAvennie

25th Jun, 2020 | 7:00am

'He's talking to his agent' - Exclusive: Lennon pal tips Celtic to seal another new arrival

Frank McAvennie has tipped Neil Lennon to follow up the appointment of Gavin Strachan with another key addition to his Celtic backroom staff.

The former Scotland international, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, claimed new first-team coach Strachan is John Kennedy’s man and still believes Lennon needs to bring somebody into the club.

The Hoops confirmed this week that the 41-year-old 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, who knows Lennon well, spoke highly of his former first-team coach, Garry Parker.

“It seems like Strachan is John Kennedy’s man – he knows him,” he told Football Insider.

Get Exclusive transfers news at Football Insider's YouTube TV channel

“I know John went through his coaching badges with him, so John knows him. Gordon will have been talking to Lenny.

“I still think Lenny needs to get somebody else in, maybe not a coach but he needs somebody to talk to.

“He’s talking to his agent – and I know Martin well – and Lenny will be offloading to him because the best managers have to speak to somebody.

“Brendan had the boy [Chris] Davies and that was his man. Lenny is comfortable working with John but Garry Parker was his man but by all accounts they got on too well! Garry is a great lad and he can go into a dressing room and put his arm around players.”

Lennon said: “We had a number of options for the role but Gavin was the outstanding candidate.

“He is a really talented, experienced, hard working and respected coach and I know he has the right qualities to make a great contribution to the club.”

In other Celtic new, it can be REVEALED the club ambushed Rangers deal that was all but done.

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.