Lennon back at Celtic....

[juffery 0]

 

Lennon and Lambert as Co managers next season??? That would be hilarious.

 

 

Barely a coherent sentence between the pair of them. The Lennon thing smacks of PR to me. It reminded me of Walter bringing back Hately for the Old Firm game a few years back.

[Bluedell 5,356]

I just can't see that Strachan had anything to do with this appointment. If he needs a new coach, why would he turn to someone with no coaching experience?

 

Strikes me as if Liewell has decided this one. Even the statement from Strachan reads as if it came from someone else. Why issue a statement from Strachan at all?

 

Even Keevins last night on RC, after they had stopped discussing it made a big thing or ensuring everyone knew that he would be sitting on the bench for the game at the w/e. Obviously he had been told to say that.

 

All very fishy.

[craig 5,199]

In what way do you think it is fishy BD ?

[Bluedell 5,356]

In what way do you think it is fishy BD ?

Perhaps fishy is the wrong term, but the only reason that the powers that be have brought him back is because he is an NI RC and will just appeal to the base elements of their support who are giving the club, and therefore Liewell, a hard time because their manager is not "Celtic-minded".

 

Liewell has gone over Chesney's head as I said, and the whole thing reeks. I would imagine if it wasn't for financial reasons Strachan would walk.

[mainstandbear 0]

agreed bluedell...nothing from strachan so far on this appointment and you can only believe that lawell is panicking...he looks at Rangers being a team ran by, and full of bluenoses and he sees that as the way for his lot...does this mean the ginger bigot has a job for life at parkhead? no matter who the manager is...still, if it makes them happy...

[Hurlock 0]

Seems they have taken the bigot onto the coaching staff !!

 

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/scottishpremier/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/08/04/03/SOCCER_Celtic.html

 

Neil Lennon jumped at the chance to return to Celtic and admitted it was a "phenomenal" feeling to be back with the club he loves.

 

The former Hoops captain accepted an invitation from manager Gordon Strachan to join his coaching staff, and Lennon will be on the frontline from the start in his second spell in Glasgow.

 

His place among the coaches on the bench for Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Motherwell has been confirmed.

 

The man with the enormous passion for the Parkhead outfit, with whom he won five SPL titles until leaving for a fresh challenge in England last summer, has now kicked his last ball in competitive football.

 

The combative midfielder had been playing with Wycombe, bossed by fellow Hoops legend Paul Lambert, in League Two.

 

But there was no stopping Lennon from heading north when the offer to rejoin Celtic came in.

 

The 36-year-old said: "I am overwhelmed at being offered this chance to return to Celtic, a place where everyone knows my heart lies.

 

"Obviously, it was a tremendous honour to play for Celtic and to captain the club. Returning to Celtic and being part of the coaching set-up is simply phenomenal.

 

"I would like to thank Gordon for this opportunity and I look forward to doing all I can to play my part in achieving further success for the club."

 

The former Northern Ireland international joins a coaching staff which includes assistant boss Garry Pendrey and first-team coach Tommy Burns.

 

Burns is currently battling cancer for the second time but still coaches at the club and will continue to do so when his treatment programme allows.

 

Lennon arrives without a coaching pedigree but his leadership and motivational qualities are in no doubt.

 

He first joined Celtic from Leicester in 2000 for �£5.5million, joining former Foxes boss Martin O'Neill in Glasgow.

 

Five years later he was appointed captain by Strachan in 2005, one of the former Southampton manager's first tasks after taking over from O'Neill.

 

Lennon led Celtic to back-to-back championships, and to the last 16 of the Champions League last season, before leaving to join Nottingham Forest, who he left in January.

 

In all, he won five SPL titles, four Scottish Cups and two League Cups with Celtic.

 

As well as the Champions League achievement, Lennon also played a key role in Celtic reaching the 2003 UEFA Cup final.

 

He has no doubt whatsoever the time is right to steer his career towards a potential future in management, and leaving behind his playing career became an easy decision.

 

Lennon said: "It was an opportunity I couldn't refuse. Chances like this only come around once in a lifetime and I'm flattered to have been given the role."

 

Strachan's side trail Rangers by six points in the SPL, and their Old Firm rivals are poised to unseat them as Scottish champions barring a late-season twist in the title race.

 

Second-best was never enough for Lennon, and Strachan is relishing the return of his former skipper, and said: "Neil is someone who I am proud to have worked with previously and is a man who I have great respect for.

 

"Neil has made a huge contribution to Celtic over a number of years and has been a major part of the club's success in recent times.

 

"We were disappointed to lose Neil and he is someone who I was very keen to have back at the club.

 

"With his qualities, Neil will be a very valuable addition to our (coaching) team and we are very much looking forward to working with him."

 

This is excellent, they'll have no trophies in their cabinet and Lennon will empty all of the pies aswell !!