SKIPPER Scott Brown and striker Leigh Griffiths will not be missed at Celtic.
That’s the verdict of former Hoops boss John Barnes with the Scotland international on the brink of joining the midfielder through the Parkhead exit in the summer.
Brown, who will be 36 in June, has already agreed a two-year pre-contract to joined Aberdeen as a player/coach to end his 14 trophy-laden years in Glasgow following his £4.4million switch from Hibs.
Griffiths, who turns 31 in August, is sweating on the club activating the 12-month clause on his current deal which is nearing its conclusion. He has been linked with a reunion alongside his pal and former team-mate at Pittodrie while Hibs, his boyhood favourites, are monitoring his situation.
Barnes, who didn’t last a full season at Celtic after being appointed boss in the summer of 1999 as part of the dream team alongside club legend Kenny Dalglish, believes a parting of the ways could be the best for all concerned.
The ex-England international winger said: “Celtic losing Scott Brown and Leigh Griffiths won’t be a big loss for the club.
“Griffiths hasn’t been playing every weekend and Brown is at the age now whereby he’s not necessarily on the pitch having that much influence on it moving forwards.
“Off the pitch, a new manager coming in may feel that he wants his own people in there to have the power off the field, in the dressing room. It is a good move for both, they know that Celtic is changing and they may not be part of that.
“If they stay at Celtic and next year are not playing and are out in the cold, they’ve missed an opportunity.”
Jamaica-born Barnes, 57, also reckoned Odsonne Edouard would be an excellent signing for Leicester City.
The Anfield icon, speaking in a report in the Scottish Sun, said: “Brendan Rodgers will know Odsonne Edouard and with what Brendan Rodgers does, he will probably fit more than at Arsenal.
“He looks for players that fit into his systems and he gets the best out of players who know their positions rather than looking for the superstar players and then fitting a team around them, just hoping it works. So, Leicester would be a good move for him.”
Eddie Howe remains favourite to take over from Neil Lennon and Barnes added: “Celtic don’t have to appoint anybody now. What is the rush?
“Appointing a manager is not going to do any good, either way, they aren’t going to win the league this season. Always make the decision at the end of the season.”
