Tommy Burns believes ex-Saints boss Gordon Strachan is rapidly forcing his way into the top bracket of managers occupied by the likes of Jose Mourinho.

While Mourinho spent vast sums during his Chelsea reign - before parting company with the Stamford Bridge club - Strachan has found himself under similar pressure to bring success to Celtic on a fraction of the Portuguese coach's budget.

And, having already delivered every major domestic trophy and overseen a lengthy run in Europe, Burns predicts there will be a long line of clubs queuing up for Strachan's services the day he parts company with Celtic.

"Despite all the comings and goings, Gordon has managed to win the most important trophies here and get to the last 16 of the Champions League," said the Parkhead coach.

"He has to get immense credit for his achievements here.

"People in the game are always on the lookout for good managers and that is the reason Gordon was brought here.

"Dermot Desmond wanted him here. Gordon wasn't working at that time but obviously Dermot knew about his reputation and brought him into the club.

"He has now gone on to another level and I have no doubt that people will think, if he is ever available, they will take him. That is the way the game works."