ROBBIE Savage has ruled himself out of the race to replace Dean Saunders as manager of Wrexham FC.

But the controversial player turned pundit believes he knows exactly who should take over at The Racecourse: former Wales striker John Hartson.

Wrexham-born Savage, part of the celebrity line-up for the new series of hit BBC TV entertainment show, Strictly Come Dancing, said his immediate attention was on his media career.

He said Hartson has all the qualities needed to guide the Reds following Saunders’ shock departure to Championship side Doncaster Rovers.

The Reds’ first team is being managed in the short-term by striker Andy Morrell, who led the team to a 3-1 win at Grimsby on Saturday.

He will be in charge for the next two matches, but has not said whether or not he would like the job on a permanent basis.

Savage said: “I have no hesitation in recommending John Hartson. If he were offered the post, I’m sure he’d be interested.

“John has played at the highest level and is a man who would have the respect of the Wrexham squad.

“He has immense experience of football and is passionate in his commitment to Wales. He speaks Welsh and is a football pundit on S4C.

“John has been there, done it and got the T-shirt. I think he ticks the right boxes.”

Savage said Harston was the embodiment of determination and courage, both on and off the pitch.

The pair were international team-mates for Wales and still regularly talk to each other, although they have not discussed the manager’s job at The Racecourse.

Hartson, whose clubs included Arsenal and Celtic, retired as a player in 2008.

In 2009 he was diagnosed with cancer and was in a critical condition following emergency surgery, but has since made a recovery.