Former Liverpool star John Barnes has backed Brendan Rodgers to do a "great job" after being named the new Celtic manager.

The Northern Irishman was appointed the Scottish club's new boss yesterday after signing a 12-month rolling contract.

It is the first job that Rodgers has taken after getting sacked by Liverpool in October last year.

"I think it is a fantastic appointment for Celtic and I think he'll do a great job," Barnes told PA Sport. "He still has the hunger and the appetite so it's great for both parties as far as I can see.

"He will not view it as a step down, despite what others will think. Celtic is a huge club. They are guaranteed European football but it will be much tougher going forward now that Rangers are back up. However, they are in the Champions League and I'm sure Brendan would want to pit his wits against the big sides there.

"The way he plays football, the fans can expect a very exciting brand of football. They can look forward to a great spectacle because he does like to play attacking football. In terms of playing the Celtic way, they couldn't pick a better man for the job."

Rodgers's previous jobs have been at Watford, Reading and Swansea City, where he guided the club to Premier League promotion in the 2010-11 season.