Former Celtic skipper Tom Boyd believes Gordon Strachan's departure was inevitable as he began to lose the backing of the supporters.

Strachan quit the Glasgow giants 24 hours after Rangers clinched the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title, ending his own quest for four straight championships.

Opinion had always been split among the Parkhead faithful, even when Strachan delivered success both at home and in Europe.

And Boyd told Scotland Today: "There was an inevitability about it.

"I was speaking to a lot of the supporters at a function on Sunday night and there weren't many who were defending Gordon.

"When you get that kind of opinion, then, ultimately, I think the manager will lose out."
Former Celtic midfielder Murdo MacLeod believes Strachan's departure may be the first of many changes at Parkhead this summer.

"Striker-wise, the middle of the park needs to be freshened," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"The strikers (Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras), the two of them struggled all year. It's maybe time for both of them to move on and get a new team-mate up front for Scott McDonald.

"The centre-backs, I think they're strong enough in that area. Full-back could be strengthened.

"(Artur) Boruc might want to leave in the summer as well, so there could be a lot of changes happening within Celtic Park."

Burnley boss Owen Coyle distanced himself from the Celtic job after guiding the Clarets back to the top flight of English football for the first time in 33 years.

"I didn't know there was a vacancy at Celtic," said Coyle after yesterday's Coca-Cola Championship play-off final win over Sheffield United.

"It's flattering that people mention your name, but I'm with Burnley.

"I'll concentrate my job on what I am doing here, and long may that continue."

Former Celtic striker John Hartson claims Strachan was forced out by fans who "hated" him.

Hartson, who played under Strachan at Parkhead and Coventry, told Setanta Sports News: "I saw it coming, the fans have got their wish.

"I feel sad for Gordon but not that sad because it's been very difficult working in the circumstances he has, with regard to how the fans felt towards him.

"The writing was on the wall because Gordon was hated by the Celtic support.

"I can't speak for the Celtic supporters - they are phenomenal - but the majority wanted Strachan out. A lot of them weren't going to renew their season tickets for next year.

"He's left because everyone wants to be happy going into work every day."

Former Celtic star Frank McGarvey believes Strachan showed a lack of respect to supporters during his time at the helm.

McGarvey, who played for the club from 1980 until 1985, told PA Sport: "I think he was going no matter if they won the league or not.

"In any other country, winning three titles out of four would be deemed as a huge success but a lot of fans didn't take to him."