Former Celtic striker Jeremie Aliadiere has proclaimed that Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou should swap the Glasgow side for teams playing in the richest league of professional football.
According to Aliadiere, who was speaking about Celtic v Rangers odds, the Australian should leave the Parkhead club in favour of a move down south in the English Premier League, such as former club West Ham United.
He said: "I think Ange Postecoglou to West Ham would be a good move because nothing can compare to the Premier League. Even a top club in Scotland like Celtic, or a top club in France, there’s nothing like the Premier League.
"For me, I’d rather be in the Premier League at a West Ham or Everton than Celtic because the experience you get from playing the likes of City, Arsenal and Man Utd is something you can’t get at Celtic. You have the Old Firm, and European nights, but after that it doesn’t compare to the Premier League. You don’t get that anywhere else."
The forward, whose CV boasts teams such as Arsenal, West Ham, Wolves and Middlesbrough, was a loan signing for then-Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, but made just two appearances in total for the Glasgow side before returning to his parent club in North London.
Aliadiere expressed frustration at the time at Strachan's decision, but has mellowed on his opinion in recent times, thanks in part to a link-up further down in his career.
He said: "I don’t think my lack of game time was Gordon Strachan’s fault in particular. At the time I took it as if it was his fault, because as a player you don’t see the bigger picture. You don’t know about decisions above the coach. I felt he was responsible at the time, but obviously now understanding the game more, I know it was not his decision.
"I took it as, ‘Why did you want me in the first place?’ But it was not his decision. I was disappointed as I think I could have done well, it’s a fantastic club with great fans. But in the end, it got cut short and wasn’t a great experience.
"But we worked together again at Middlesbrough. He came in and we had a great relationship there. I started and we got on well so it made me realise it was not personal, not his decision and was one of those things."
Despite his disappointing spell at the club, Aliadiere ranks Celtic Park as the best atmosphere he has ever witness, particularly during a Glasgow Derby.
He said: "The atmosphere was electric, it was amazing, I was lucky enough to be involved in an Old Firm and that was something else, I’d never experienced it before. Unfortunately I was not starting. But I could feel the atmosphere, Celtic Park is just a mad place.
"I’ve played in some amazing atmospheres, with the north London derby being one too, but I would say the Old Firm atmosphere at Celtic Park was the best."
The Frenchman also commented on the financial gap between Scottish clubs and their European opponents, highlighting the struggles that domestic clubs face in Europe with regards to competing in a monetary sense.
He said: "In Scotland you have two dominant teams, Celtic and Rangers, and the others are trying to bridge the gap but financially it’s difficult. If you don’t have the resources it’s going to be difficult regardless of your intentions. You can’t get the best players and managers if you don’t have the money. They have to make use of what they have."
