Neil Lennon’s long-term Celtic future is in limbo.
Johan Mjallby has called on Celtic to re-hire his former team-mate Neil Lennon on a long-term basis.
The 47-year-old has been Celtic’s manager since February, but only on an interim basis following Brendan Rodgers’s shock departure.
The Hoops are unbeaten in seven games since Lennon’s return – five wins, two draws – but it remains to be seen whether the club’s board are looking at somebody else.
Roberto Martinez has emerged as favourite to land the long-term manager’s role at Parkhead, while David Moyes has confirmed his interest in recent weeks [The Scottish Sun].
But the 47-year-old has previously won five trophies during a four-year spell in Glasgow as boss, and Mjallby, who played with the former Northern Ireland international at Celtic, reckons Lennon is the ‘safe bet’.
He told Sky Sports: “Neil is probably the safer bet, yes, but it depends on how the outlook is from the board.
“I’m quite sure the board are contemplating other names – that’s normal. Neil will definitely be in the running if they finish the season on a high and can secure another treble, which would be unbelievable. A triple treble, it’s unheard of.
“I’ve obviously been following Celtic closely and know there are a couple of names being thrown about too, however.”
Lennon’s chances probably hinge on whether he delivers a Treble Treble.
Rodgers had already won the League Cup – his seventh trophy since 2016 – at the time of his departure, and left behind a seven-point lead over Rangers – the gap is now 11 points.
But Lennon has overseen a Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Hibernian to set up a semi with Aberdeen at Hampden on Sunday. If Celtic lose, that might be it for Lennon’s chances of staying at Parkhead beyond this summer.
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