Chris Sutton argues with Scott McDonald about Neil Lennon’s future at Celtic

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Following his return to the club, Neil Lennon is yet to taste defeat as Celtic manager.

Chris Sutton argued with fellow BT Sport pundit Scott McDonald that Neil Lennon doesn’t need to win the treble in order to be given the permanent managerial role at Celtic.

Both McDonald and Sutton played at Parkhead, with the latter stating that Lennon’s future depends on performances, not results.

The Bhoys are games away from wrapping up the Scottish Premiership title and winning eight in a row. However, winning their third trophy of the season will be a lot trickier.

Speaking to BT Sport’s official Persiscope account (03/04/2019), Sutton insisted that he wouldn’t give Lennon the job right now and that he should be judged on how his teams play.

“Not at this moment in time [in giving Lennon the job],” Sutton told BT Sport. “That’s why I think performances until the end of the season are important. I don’t necessarily think that Neil needs to win the treble.”

“Oh, he has to,” McDonald told Sutton. “It isn’t a must,” Sutton responded. “It’s not a must.”

McDonald then stated: “So, are you telling me that if he doesn’t win the Scottish Cup that fans will still want him as manager?

Sutton responded: “It’s nothing to do with the fans because they don’t make that decision. It’s more important what the board think.”

“You have been against the board time and again, though,” McDonald reminded Sutton. “That’s not the point,” the former Premier League winner stated. “The fans don’t choose the manager. I take your point that there are fans who don’t want to go back there. Anything can happen in terms of losing a game of football. It’s how you lose, which is why performances are more important.”

On Wednesday night, three days after beating bitter rivals Rangers, Lennon guided his team to a comfortable 2-0 win at relegation-threatened St Mirren.

At the weekend, Celtic will host Livingston on home soil, with the Glasgow giants clear favourites to record and pick up another three points.

Thereafter, Lennon will face his biggest test since taking over from Brendan Rodgers when his team take on Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup.

Defeat would be damaging for the Bhoys because it will end their chances of winning the treble-treble. But picking up those points will only increase the fans’ noise in giving Lennon the job once again on a permanent basis.