Can Neil Lennon turn things around at Celtic?

The man to take Celtic to glory?

Thirty-eight year old Neil Lennon is the new full-time manager of Celtic and he has the job of trying to revive interest and excitement in the club.

Last season saw the club fall out of the title race early, have embarrassing cup defeats and a disastrous European campaign. Towards the end of the season we saw the unusual sight of vast areas of empty seats at Parkhead whilst Celtic toiled away on the pitch.

Most of the embarrassment came under the managerial spell of Tony Mowbray although Lennon was in charge for the worst of all, the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of First Division Ross County.

Dispirited

Other than that terrible defeat, Lennon did pretty well with a dispirited side after he took over in March following Mowbray’s sacking. In fact, he enjoyed a 100% record in the league and staked a claim for the role on a permanent basis.

Many more experienced and well known managers have been linked with the role in the media, including Giovanni Trapattoni, but Celtic are quick to say that Lennon was the number one choice.

Chairman John Reid said,

“We have spoken to no one, nor offered the job to anyone, other than Neil Lennon. We have appointed Neil after the most careful thought, deliberation and scrutiny. He faced up to the challenge at the end of the season in difficult circumstances, and he did his talking on the park.”

Lennon says that he will make no immediate announcements about who his backroom staff will be but Johan Mjallby, Alan Thompson and Garry Parker are widely tipped to be involved along with Finland manager Stuart Baxter who will act as an advisor to Lennon.

The new manager accepts that he will need some help.

“I’ve said before that I might need an older head to bounce ideas off. It would be churlish to suggest I can do all of this by myself.”

Neil Lennon was critical of some of his players after the cup defeat to Ross County and he has again stated that he needs new players who can fire up the crowd and play with a little more passion.

“I want that passion and noise from the crowd and I want my players to go to war every time they go out on the pitch. I need more men in the team. I’m looking for players with experience and a better mentality.”

Lennon has made it clear that he knows what is expected of him and that he is proud to be in the role and to follow some great names.

“To know that I would be in charge of the football club was a very special moment for me personally. And I’m very proud to be walking in the footsteps of the likes of Jock Stein, Davie Hay, Tommy Burns, Martin O’Neill and others. But I’m ready for the challenge. I don’t think anyone knows the club better than myself. It’s our priority to challenge for the title, but we know we’ve got to hit the ground running.”

I see that Lennon didn’t mention John Barnes or Tony Mowbray! I wonder why that is?

He does know Celtic well and has been in and around the club for over ten years. He was signed by Martin O’Neill back in 2000 as a midfield player. He played over two hundred games for the club helping them to five SPL titles in seven seasons. After a year playing in the English lower leagues he returned to Celtic in 2008 to assist then manager Gordon Strachan with the coaching.

Youth

When Tony Mowbray replaced Strachan last Summer Lennon was kept on the staff but given a role within the youth set-up. He stepped up when Mowbray was sacked and the rest is history.

There is no doubt that Lennon has the passion and desire to succeed, but it remains to be seen if he has the knowledge, experience and necessary money to take Celtic back to the top.