Former Albion manager Liam Brady has expressed sympathy for axed Celtic boss John Barnes.

Barnes paid the price yesterday for Celtic's stunning Scottish FA Cup exit at home to little Inverness Caledonian-Thistle. Brady has a better idea than most how the ex-Liverpool maestro is feeling.

He was Celtic's manager before taking charge of the Seagulls. Like Barnes it was his first job in management after a glittering playing career, but Brady ended up resigning as Celtic struggled to keep up with arch-rivals Rangers.

"I feel for John Barnes at the moment," said Brady. "I was there for two and a bit seasons and I know what it's like. You are judged by what is happening at the opposition across the road. If you fall behind Rangers the pressure increases. It cannot be very pleasant when you get a result like Celtic had on Tuesday. The Cup is your consolation up there if you can do something in it."

Brady travels the world talent-spotting in his role as Arsenal's head of youth development. Gunners supremo Arsene Wenger and other top managers in England are always under scrutiny, but in Glasgow it is far more intense.

"It is almost unique," said Brady. "Only the manager of Rangers is probably under the same kind of pressure. You are like the leader of a community, not just a football manager. It's a goldfish bowl. You just cannot get away from your job up there. The rivalry is based on politics, history and religion and it's not very pleasant. But that's the way it is and the way it will always be.

"In England it diversifies. Maybe six or eight clubs make big news and if you get a couple of results the pressure subsides and people become interested in somebody else. Everton and Newcastle have been good examples of that. In Glasgow and in Scotland only two teams make the news and if you are not having a good time the pressure is enormous.

"My results weren't too bad. I was never under severe pressure, like John, after one particular result, but we couldn't keep up with Rangers in the League. You are always compared to Rangers and they seem to have an advantage in spending power. They are able to bring in top quality players, but I don't think Celtic are at that level. They certainly weren't in my day.

"I was always trying to wheel and deal, rather than going in at the quality end of the transfer market, and that makes things very difficult. I reached a point of no return at Celtic, but in football you pick yourself up and dust yourself down. I did that at Brighton and I am sure John can do the same."

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