Chris Sutton believes that Celtic need to win Sunday’s derby clash in style to secure the manager’s job for Neil Lennon.
The former hoops striker has kept a close eye on the mood music at his old club and the reaction to the departure of Brendan Rodgers.
Lennon was appointed caretaker within hours of Celtic giving Leicester permission to speak to Leicester and started his reign with crucial wins away to Hearts and Hibs.
Sunday’s derby match will attract greater media attention in a fixture that doesn’t look kindly on it’s losers.
According to a report in The Sun Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Is this his first big challenge? No, I think he has been challenged.
“I think that the early fixtures under him, Hibs and Hearts away were extremely difficult fixtures and Aberdeen who pushed him.
“I think it’s his most important challenge. I think it’s just as big for Steven Gerrard – I think in terms of Neil Lennon getting the job, he needs to beat Rangers and beat them in style.”
Lennon has extended Celtic’s lead at the top of the SPFL to 10 points with Sunday’s match giving him the chance to extend that to 13 points with just seven matches left to play.
Over the past couple of days Rafa Benitez and Davie Moyes have both been linked with the Celtic manager’s job.
