JACKIE McNAMARA spent ten years at Celtic which means he survived over 300 crises.

That’s the way it is if your office is at the top of Kerrydale Street. A draw is a drama, defeat a disaster.

To prove some things don't change, Brendan Rodgers had his own 'crisis' only recently.

His Celtic team lost two games in a row – how could he show his face in public – but would you believe the manager got through that patch, made it into the Europa League and beat Rangers.

And all will be well until the next misstep.

McNamara won four leagues, ten medals, played in a European final and was twice voted player of the year during his hugely successful time at Celtic Park and yet he knew low moments. Really low moments.

Losing to Hearts and then AEK Athens hurt, of course it did, but try playing for Celtic when Rangers equalled their nine in a row record or losing the title on the last day of the season.

Now they were crises.

McNamara, a genuine Celtic legend, almost laughs when he was asked for his view about how Rodgers did to get past such a hard time.

"I didn't see things as a crisis,” said the former Celtic captain. “A lot was made regarding the disappointment of going out the Champions League to AEK Athens. They have made to the group stages in the last two seasons but over the two games against AEK, Celtic were by far the better side and they had a couple of moments defensively that cost them.

"There was the Moussa Dembele situation hanging over the club as well.

"With a player like Dembele you can only hold on to him for so long before clubs with more finances from abroad or down south come calling. It is difficult to hold on to players like Dembele and there were rumours that he was leaving last January before he picked up his injuries.

"It was similar to the position I found myself in with Dundee United when we sold Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic. The big clubs will eventually come in with the big money and take the best players away.”

Rodgers coped because he isn’t one to panic. Never has been.

True, the transfer window in January proved to be a failure and the lack of signings during the summer wasn’t supposed to happen.

However, this fans favourite had every belief that the Northern Irishman would come out on top, just as he’s done since first stepping into Glasgow.

"I don't think there is any doubt that Brendan is a top managerial operator,” said McNamara. “In the lead up to the last game it was all about Rangers getting closer and there was a crisis over at Celtic but Brendan's team did their talking on the park.

"Celtic showed that they are still way ahead.”

And this was without Dembele, now a Lyon player, having secured a £20m move to the French club before the window shut and the Rangers game. This leaves Celtic with just two natural strikers – Rodgers wanted four - but this doesn’t concern McNamara

“Selling Dembele is a fantastic piece of business for Celtic,” he said. “They have spent £9 million on Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths is there as well. They can't play three strikers in one game can they?

"I haven't seen enough of the lad Lewis Morgan but he is highly rated and they also have Scott Sinclair there who hasn't featured a lot this season.

"I think that Celtic don't need to replace Dembele this season as they still have enough quality in the forward areas to win trophies and to continue being successful and doing well.”

McNamara, a truly versatile player in his day, was interested to watch the way Alex McLeish has tried to get Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson in the Scotland team.

“I think it worked well against Albania and the more they do it the more they will get used to each other,” he said.

“As Kieran has gone forward, Andy has gone inside. It’s not often you get two top left back and we need to use them the best we can.

"The other option is Kieran at right back, which has been a problematic position but he’s gone to a three at the back. And the more they play that system the more comfortable they will be.

And what about McNamara? He is now away from York City and his good work at Partick Thistle and Dundee United seems a long time ago.

Still only 44, there is plenty of time for him to get back in the management game. But that’s not going to happen tomorrow.

"I think you need to miss something to want to do it again,” said McNamara. “I actually enjoy just watching games now. There is still a sour taste there but I enjoy watching football now.

"It is nothing to do with pressure, as I was at Celtic for 10 years, it is more a frustration. You try to do things properly and try and change things for the right reasons and there is a lot of things you can't control.

"When you lose the enjoyment and it becomes about survival then that's not for me. I was never in football just to survive.

"I wanted to go into management to make a difference. I would never say never but not at this moment as I do not miss it.”

Jackie McNamara helped to make the third round draw of the IRN-BRU Cup in Glasgow.

IRN-BRU Cup third-round draw

East Fife v Queen of the South

Arbroath v Edinburgh City

Bohemians v Sutton United

Dunfermline Athletic v Alloa Athletic

Ross County v Montrose

St Mirren Colts v Queen’s Park

Motherwell Colts v Sligo Rovers

Connah’s Quay Nomads v Coleraine

Ties are due to be played on the weekend of October 13/14