Pundit makes surprising claim about Rafa Benitez at Celtic

Dalian Yifang's new head coach Rafael Benitez looks on during the Chinese Super League (CSL) football match between Dalian Yifang and Henan Jianye in Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning province on July 7, 2019. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT (Photo credit should read STR/AFP via Getty Images)
Dalian Yifang's new head coach Rafael Benitez looks on during the Chinese Super League (CSL) football match between Dalian Yifang and Henan Jianye in Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning province on July 7, 2019. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT (Photo credit should read STR/AFP via Getty Images)

It is safe to say that Paul Robinson’s comments regarding Rafa Benitez’s suitability to Celtic are a bit surprising to say the least. But does he have a point?

The Hoops are expected to bring in a new manager in the summer and the Spaniard is someone who has been linked with them for quite some time now. Naturally though, it would be very difficult to bring him to Parkhead.

Paul Robinson is a former England international goalkeeper who played for Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley through the course of his career. And his view regarding Benitez possibly joining Celtic is certainly interesting.

While speaking with Football Insider, he raised questions about Benitez’s style of football and whether it would be suited to what the Hoops need or want at this point of time:

"“The only thing would be, the way he sets up his teams. How do Celtic fans want their team to play?“You have got to look at the big picture and how a manager would set the team up. They want to play open, attacking football. They do not want to defend.“Celtic need to attack the league next year and I am not sure if that would suit Benitez’s style of play.”"

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Benitez would be a brilliant appointment for Celtic

It’s a fair point that fans love attacking football. But it is clear that they want the club to have better organisation as well and without doubt want them to defend much better than they have recently. There have been a lot of issues at the back this season and someone like Benitez would bring a huge and welcome improvement in that respect.

In terms of attacking football, Benitez is very underrated. He signed and brought out the best of Fernando Torres while at Liverpool. And that team crossed the 50-goal mark in the Premier League on a consistent basis under him. And at the end of the day, he led them to a Champions League title. There’s not much more any club could ask for.

He is one of the best managers of his generation and it is safe to say that if the opportunity was there to bring Benitez to Parkhead, the Celtic board should not even think twice before making the decision.