Adams claims he could be new Celtic boss

Tony Adams claims he is in the frame to become Celtic manager - if former Hoops boss Wim Jansen rejoins the club as technical director.

The former Portsmouth manager believes Jansen is close to securing a dramatic return to the club he led to a famous title victory in 1998 in his only season in charge.

According to Adams, Celtic approached the Dutchman, who then put forward his name as the other half of a continental-style management team.

Adams told talkSPORT: "My good friend Wim Jansen is probably in at Celtic. It would be him as technical director and me as manager."

The former Arsenal skipper added: "I've not applied for the role. I know Wim Jansen, who has put me in there.

"I think they approached him, and I know Wim from my Feyenoord days, and he's actually said that he would only do the role if I were to be made manager. That's Wim's opinion, not Celtic's."

The former England defender's claims contradict denials from Jansen at the weekend over a possible return to Celtic.

Jansen, who stepped down from his role as Feyenoord assistant in January, told the Sunday Herald: "I want to do something in football... but I am not interested in the Celtic job, whether as an assistant or head coach."

But Adams claims he has discussed a management structure with Jansen, whom he worked under during a six-month spell as Feyenoord under-21 coach in 2005.

"By saying manager, it is kind of a head coach's position really because once you have a technical director like you have in Europe, they help you with recruitment," Adams said of his proposed role.

"They do the nuts and bolts, the travel arrangements, the hotels, and all that kind of stuff.

"As long as you have the final say of who comes in and out, these people are your help in the boardroom.

"I never had that at Portsmouth. It works for me and Celtic is an unbelievable club, you have a 50% chance of winning something up there."

Jansen remains a popular figure among the support after stopping Rangers claiming a 10th title in a row, one more than Jock Stein achieved at Celtic.

The former Holland international also won the League Cup and brought Henrik Larsson to Parkhead - the £650,000 fee securing a return of 242 goals.

But he left shortly after the title victory following a disagreement with then general manager Jock Brown.

Celtic refused to comment on the claims but they come in the wake of their first official approach to secure a replacement for Gordon Strachan.

Swansea revealed Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell asked for permission to speak to Roberto Martinez, who is expected to discuss the situation with his chairman later this week.

Owen Coyle was thought to be their first choice but he looks set to sign a contract extension at Burnley.

West Brom have repeatedly warned Celtic off making an official approach for Tony Mowbray while Motherwell manager Mark McGhee and Dundee United boss Craig Levein have consistently been linked with the post.