Brendan Rodgers believes Neil Lennon would be the “perfect” manager to lead Celtic next season as the Scottish giants look to win an unprecedented nine league titles in a row.

Rodgers opted to leave Parkhead in February to take over at Premier League outfit Leicester City and he has made a good start to life at the King Power Stadium, winning five of his nine matches in charge.

The Northern Irishman was replaced at Celtic by compatriot Lennon, who returned for his second stint at the club after being given the job until the end of the current campaign.

Since his temporary appointment, the 47-year-old has led the Bhoys to their eighth straight league title and he could complete the ‘treble-treble’ if they beat Hearts in the Scottish FA Cup final later this month.

It remains unclear who Celtic are planning on offering the job to on a permanent basis, but Rodgers has thrown his full support behind Lennon and believes no other candidate gets the club like he does.

Speaking to the Sunday Mail, he said: “Neil’s perfect for the job. He understands Celtic and the pressures involved there. The club will have many applications because it’s an amazing club. People will want to go and work there.

“But not many will understand the expectations of Celtic, especially going for the ninth title next year. Neil gets that fully. We’re both attacking coaches but we have different styles. “So come the end of the season, it’ll be important that he’s allowed to get his style of player in to suit his attacking philosophy. Then he can then continue and take it on from there.”