Lennon responds when asked if Martin O’Neill is returning to Celtic

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Ex-Celtic boss Martin O’Neill was sacked by Nottingham Forest last week.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has told The Scottish Sun that Martin O’Neill returning to Parkhead as Director of Football would ‘interesting’ – but it isn’t on the horizon.

Many were left shocked last Friday, as Nottingham Forest abruptly announced that they had sacked O’Neill, just over five months after being appointed.

The 67-year-old won eight of his 19 games in charge, but was let go amid concerns about a player revolt at the City Ground, with some frustration over his methods.

The situation became even more bizarre though, as Forest confirmed his exit, but then announced his replacement just 20 minutes later, with Sabri Lamouchi coming in.

O’Neill finds himself out of a job in bizarre circumstances, and some may now feel that he will struggle to get another managerial job given his age.

He could always head into an upstairs role if he returns to the game, and some fans have wondered whether he could take up that role at Celtic.

Nick Hammond is only in as an interim recruitment chief after Lee Congerton’s exit, and current boss Lennon played for O’Neill at Leicester City and Celtic.

Lennon has now been asked about the situation, admitting that he was surprised by O’Neill’s exit in the first place, admitting that Lamouchi’s rapid appointment doesn’t sit right with him.

Lennon added that he hopes O’Neill gets back in but claims there is no Celtic return on the horizon for his compatriot, even if it would be interesting, joking that O’Neill will be sick of telling him what to do by now.

“I was very surprised. I don’t know where that came from,” said Lennon. “But it just shows you the rapid nature of it all because there was a new coach in place 20 minutes later. Something about that doesn’t sit right with me. A player revolt can be an easy excuse. I’m not aware of any evidence of that whatsoever.”

“I hope he gets back in. He’s only in his mid-60s and you know what I think of him as a manager. It’s whether he fancies it. Could he come back   here in some role? He is fed up telling me what to do. He’s been doing it for 25 years! That would be an interesting one, but it’s not on the horizon,” he added.