Celtic legend Pat Bonner insists his former club should be eyeing a move for Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill after missing out on Eddie Howe.

Parkhead chiefs are currently on the look out for a new boss after Neil Lennon departed his position back in February.

Howe had been the number one target but the Hoops have now been forced to turn their focus elsewhere after the Englishman was unable to secure the backroom team he wanted to take with him to Parkhead.

Reports have emerged linking Ange Postecoglou, 55, with the Celtic job. He is currently with Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos, having guided them to a first J League title in 15 years two seasons ago.

But Bonner reckons his former team should be looking closer to home.

Speaking on Sportsound, Bonner said: “I’m looking down the list of people that are there. Maybe Michael O’Neill? I would take him.

“I would go for those guys that know the British game, know the Scottish game as well as the European game.

“Here’s somebody that’s in Australia and in Japan. He is in a different environment, different place.

“Without being disrespectful, when you are in that environment you do not think about European football too much, unless dealing with agents.”

He continued: “They have taken their eye off it. Peter Lawwell is leaving, apparently and maybe he has taken his eye off it and relaxed a little bit too.

“Dominic McKay doesn’t know too much about football as such and is relying on people like Peter to give him information about decisions.

“It’s not easy to make decisions when you don’t know the full picture and don’t have the knowledge or confidence in football.

“But its down to Dermot Desmond I presume. He called Brendan Rodgers. I know he went for others that didn’t come for different reasons. And now he’s been after Eddie Howe.

“So I think it’s Dermot Desmond who is pulling that decision to get a manager in.

“But I am flabbergasted they are going after someone now who doesn’t know European football. That is a huge chance to take.”