"Gordon has a great reputation across the border and rightly so," Hughes told the Daily Express.

"That's not just because of the success he's had here, but also through the success he has had at other clubs in his career.

"Gordon is a proven football manager and knows what it takes to win football matches, so he will always be a manager that clubs covet.

"It is no surprise to me what Gordon has achieved with Celtic.

"He's a football man and loves the game. He relishes the cut and thrust of high profile matches and he has that here (at Parkhead).

"It didn't surprise me when he moved into management but I probably surprised him."