Hoops legend Chris Sutton reckons Ange Postecoglou should be named manager of the year right now.

And no matter what happens in the title race, the pundit feels the turnaround at Celtic and winning the Betfred Cup puts him in prime position for the honour.

Rangers could yet win the Europa League with a quarter-final against Braga to come in April.

While Sutton admits that would be a “game-changer” he’s sure it won’t happen.

And it’s the incredible job done by Postecoglou in turning the Hoops from title also rans to table-toppers that has impressed him most.

He told the Daily Record: “Ange Postecoglou is the Manager of the Year.

“That’s regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season.

“As far as I’m concerned, there’s no point in even starting the voting. Postecoglou ’s work at Celtic makes him the outstanding candidate and you’d be as well just handing him the award right now.

“No doubt this statement is going to get folk hot under the collar but, if you are being honest and unbiased, who else can anyone really vote for?

“Celtic were an absolute shambles at the beginning of the season. The club had lost the title by a massive 25 points last season to Rangers.

“It was a one-sided Rangers rout. My old club was a mess. The entire squad needed upheaval. He needed a brand new team.

“Postecoglou was walking into an alien environment and he had to turn around the squad and the mood.

“Not only has he done it, he might just be about to win the title along with it.

“Even if he doesn’t, it has been some turnaround. Let’s face it, no-one, including me, gave him a hope of overcoming Rangers in his first season.

“Postecoglou has brought a brand of football which is exciting, he has signed a raft of players such as Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota and Liel Abada who have lit up the season in Scotland and he has rejuvenated an institution which was in serious trouble.

“Are there other contenders? Yes, you would say there is.

“Rangers might win the Premiership but Steven Gerrard had them 25 points ahead in the last campaign.

“Winning the Europa League would be an incredible effort. That would be a game-changer, but, as well as they have done to reach the last eight, I can’t see it.

“Don’t get me wrong. I like Gio Van Bronckhorst. He was a good mate of Henrik Larsson’s when we were all in Glasgow together playing and he’s a good guy.

“However, having been so far ahead last term, this season should have been an open goal for Rangers.

“Postecoglou took over Del Trotter’s three-wheeler while van Bronckhorst was grabbing hold of a Lamborghini.”