Neil Lennon was hardly given a chance when he took over as manager of Celtic last season. Now he makes an honest admission about his job.
Neil Lennon has been a revelation this season. He has led Celtic to a dominating performance in the Europa League Group Stage (only to be shown the door in the Round of 32) and looks poised to lead the Hoops to nine-in-a-row.
However, Neil Lennon ever expected to be offered the job. Prior to taking over the Hoops, Neil Lennon was the manager over at Hibernian, then after that stint was looking for his next adventure. Working as a football analyst seemed the most likely path.
But that was never in the cards for Neil Lennon, at least not yet. After Brendan Rodgers left before the season ended last year, the Hoops were left scrambling to find a new boss. Enter Neil Lennon. At the time, it seemed like panic move, and weekend warriors and diehards alike maligned the decision of the board to bring Neil Lennon back for a second time.
But Neil Lennon believe in himself, and knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to manage the Scottish champions. Speaking to The Sun, Neil Lennon made some admissions about his current job:
"“It was the Celtic job. If you have been asked to take it, you take it. Trust yourself, go with it. I think when an opportunity like that comes along you don’t knock it back, you take it. If you fail, you fail. If you succeed, brilliant.“I didn’t have much time to think about it anyway. I really don’t know what else I’d be doing. Sitting in the stand? Sitting at home watching it on TV? No, it has been very fulfilling so far.“It was a big undertaking, the timing of it. Going in on your own as well, it was a big task. The pressure was enormous. It was a real character build for me as well, but the players were great.“To win the Scottish Cup final in the manner they did trumped everything really. It was just a fantastic way to do it. This year has been really enjoyable.”"
Neil Lennon still has a lot to prove, but he has the potential to be one of the best managers in club history. He will need to prove he can lead his squad not just domestically but in Europe as well. Despite losing to FC Copenhagen in the Europa League’s Round of 32, the Bhoys are poised to make their next appearance in Europe in the Champions League.
Neil Lennon very well may be the man to lead the Hoops to the promised land.