Elliott urges Campbell to make Hoops switch

Former Celtic star Paul Elliott has revealed how he told Sol Campbell to jump at the chance of a move to Parkhead.

Elliott spent two years in the east end of Glasgow and believes the Arsenal defender would be a big hit with the Hoops faithful.

Campbell, 35, revealed recently he was “seriously considering” joining Celtic and promised to make no decision over his future until Neil Lennon’s bid to be named manager is resolved.

Elliott said: “I know Sol very well and I was talking to him about a month ago. I said to him one thing – if you have the opportunity to go to Celtic, you must take it.

“He’s 35, he’s played in World Cups, the Champions League and I have to say he was consistently outstanding for Arsenal last season. He has been very injury-free in his career.”

Campbell may be in the latter stages of his career but Elliott has no doubts about his ability to make an impact at the Glasgow giants.

He added: “Somebody of that magnitude, if Celtic were fortunate enough to get him, certainly would make a positive contribution.

“He has got a great regard for Celtic, there is no question about that.

“I think, come judgement day, Celtic is not the only option. There are other options to think about.

“He is a very nomadic kind of guy, very comfortable in his skin and I think he would deliver tremendous potential.

“Certainly, that kind of challenge would be very appealing.”

Meanwhile, Elliott would love to see Celtic appoint somebody with a similar stature to Rangers manager Walter Smith as director of football.

The Hoops are reportedly seeking an experienced coach to ’mentor’ Lennon should the interim boss be handed the job on a full-time basis.

Elliott has witnessed how his friend Ally McCoist has learned the ropes under Smith at Ibrox for the last few years before he steps up to the helm at the end of next season.

And the former Celtic defender believes working alongside someone of an equivalent calibre would benefit Lennon as he takes his first steps into management.

“Neil is a very young man and I think experience is always vital,” Elliott told Press Association Sport.

“Ally McCoist has had an excellent mentor in Walter Smith, who has achieved so much and who is a top-class manager, with an impeccable CV.

“I think somebody of that magnitude would be a very positive acquisition for the club.”

Elliott added: “I like Neil a lot and I think he is an outstanding individual.

“He has been a top-class player for Celtic, he has worked under an outstanding manager in Martin O’Neill and he is a very young manager who has tremendous potential.

“As far as I’m concerned, not only is he the future of Celtic, he is also the future of Scotland.

“Across the other side of the Old Firm, Ally McCoist is exactly the same.

“I’ve got a lot of respect and regard for Ally, he’s a good mate of mine and they are two potential managers who I think can go a long way.”