Chris Sutton tells Jose Mourinho what he really thinks as Celtic hero explains why Brendan Rodgers is better

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Chris Sutton has still not forgiven Jose Mourinho for his Porto side’s antics in the 2003 UEFA Cup Final.

The Portuguese manager and his players lifted the trophy after a brutal 3-2 victory over Celtic in Seville which still rankles the big Englishman as well as Hoops fans everywhere.

So when Mourinho said he’d be open to managing Celtic one day earlier this week, eyebrows around the country and Europe were raised. The 62-year-old is currently with Fenerbahce and struggled in a Europa League defeat to Rangers last night. So that certainly didn’t do him any good.

But Sutton had already made his mind up where the “Special One” is concerned. For the former striker, Brendan Rodgers is much better suited to Celtic Park than Mourinho and he hopes the club can tie down the Irishman on a new contract.

Still, Sutton would love to see Mourinho take the Rangers job to bring chaos to the Scottish Premiership which would undoubtedly be box office.

• READ MORE: Jose Mourinho shares Celtic ‘respect’ in classy response to Rangers question

Chris Sutton does not want Jose Mourinho at Celtic

But, like the big man, we’d still back Rodgers to do what he does best in Glasgow and that is win trophies, one after the other.

“It was great to see Jose Mourinho teasing the prospect of one day managing in Scotland,” Sutton wrote in his Daily Record column.

“I’d love to see the Special One in Glasgow – but at Rangers. Mourinho’s admission he’s a secret lover of the Scottish game got fans of both sides of the Glasgow divide excited at the prospect of him coming in.

“As far as Celtic are concerned, not for me. I haven’t forgotten Seville and the antics of his Porto players in the UEFA Cup Final. I’m sure plenty of Celtic fans haven’t forgiven him either. I know it still sticks in the throat of the likes of Martin O’Neill. There will be some supporters who would lap it up if Mourinho did appear at Parkhead though.

“But here’s a question. Mourinho as next manager – or a new contract for Brendan Rodgers? I know what I’d be going for. Mourinho would be exciting but it could also be a rollercoaster ride. You look at the job Rodgers has done at the club and it has been astonishing.

“It works under Rodgers, so why even consider changing it? I don’t think he’ll leave before his contract is up at the end of next season.

“But after that is anyone’s guess. Only Rodgers will know want he wants to do that at that point. If there’s any chance to get him on an extended deal then Celtic should grab it. I’d still love to see Mourinho in these parts though – and that means across the city at Rangers.

“Supporters at Ibrox believed they are going to be billionaires in the summer when the takeover goes through, so why not think big? Contrary to what some Rangers fans think, I would like to see them get their act together. Let’s be honest, the Premiership is going to be boring for the rest of the season.”

Sutton, as he usually is, was honest with his column as he admitted being “bored” of the title ‘race’ this term.

Celtic have simply been too far in front of Rangers which has ultimately taken away from the contest and excitement of what could be.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	29	24	3	2	87	17	70	75
2	RangersRangers	29	18	5	6	59	26	33	59
3	HibernianHibernian	29	11	10	8	44	40	4	43
4	AberdeenAberdeen	29	12	6	11	38	46	-8	42
5	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	29	11	8	10	36	36	0	41
6	MotherwellMotherwell	29	11	4	14	34	48	-14	37

Sutton has been ‘bored’ of the Premiership title with Celtic rampant

Sutton believes Mourinho might bring some of that back if he rocked up across the city. But he might still struggle to “reel Celtic in”.

He added: “Even the derbies are pretty much meaningless. There’s no jeopardy, the stakes are low and the rewards are pretty much non-existent beyond temporary bragging rights. Scottish football could do with Rangers being competitive again – and it would be brilliant to see someone like Jose at the helm.

“Their supporters could be doing with some excitement after years in the doldrums. At times I’ve actually felt sorry for them as they have been so rotten. Scottish football wouldn’t be boring, that’s for sure. It would be absolute box office.

“Mourinho spoke with some affection when he talked about the Scottish game this week and he would help make it absolutely unmissable. He’d have a tough job on his hands reeling in Celtic though. The title is tucked away but it’s all about the Scottish Cup now – and completing another Treble.

“It’s become so much the norm at the club I think it has been lost in the wash just how big an achievement it still is. Trebles don’t come easy – even if they make it look that way.”