Rangers boss Steven Gerrard could probably walk into a job in England, but Neil Lennon doesn’t receive the same press despite winning another league title at Celtic.
Somehow, that’s a theme that has followed Lennon in two spells as Celtic boss. Lennon won three league titles in his first spell as Celtic boss, but English interest was scant.
Lennon ended up heading to Bolton Wanderers after his spell at Celtic, but lasted just 18 months having won only 18 games in 79 as Trotters boss.
Lennon headed back to Scotland, and now finds himself at Celtic again. Having returned in February 2019, he has now won another two league titles for the Bhoys.
Maybe Lennon’s time at Bolton impacts his reputation, hence the lack of English interest. Maybe some people still devalue the importance of the Scottish game – but that brings Steven Gerrard into the situation.
Gerrard has yet to win a trophy in two years at Rangers, but Derby County wanted him last summer according to The Times, whilst he has been touted to become Liverpool manager in the future too.
Chris Sutton has now asked whether Lennon feels under-appreciated because he is never linked with Premier League jobs, but he played down being frustrated.
Sutton added that Gerrard gets linked with such jobs, which Lennon claims doesn’t bother him because Gerrard has ‘done a very good job’ at Ibrox, and believes the rumours can be a hindrance rather than a help.
“That’s a loaded question! I’m not here to put myself out there to attract other clubs. I’m here to make Celtic and myself better. Sometimes the Scottish game gets a little downplayed but in last year’s Champions League final, we had Andy Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama,” said Lennon to the Daily Mail.
“It doesn’t bother me. Steven’s done a very good job at Rangers and he’s got a great profile,” he added when asked about Gerrard being linked away. “I just go about getting on with things here… Sometimes, speculation can be very unsettling for a manager. It can make you take your eye off the ball. I’m quite happy, really happy, with what I’m doing at Celtic. If there’s speculation surrounding me, it’s not welcome at the moment,” he added.
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