Within six months Lennon had picked up all three domestic Scottish trophies and played in Celtic teams that had beaten Rangers at Hampden, Celtic Park and Ibrox.
The following season kicked off with an aggregate win over Ajax to secure Champions League football but it was the derby clashes with Rangers that were to define Lennon.
The bigots may have driven him out of international football because of his transfer but if anything his resolve as a Celtic player was strengthened as the SPL title was retained.
Seven years of playing success ended at Hampden in May 2007 when Joe Doumbe’s goal against Dunfermline allowed Lennon to pick up his 11th major honour as a Celtic player.
Five championships, four Scottish Cups and two League Cup winners medals were packed off as Lennon headed back to the Midlands to join Nottingham Forest.
A brief spell under Paul Lambert at Wycombe ended with a phone call to rejoin Gordon Strachan’s coaching team as Tommy Burns fought against cancer.
No one celebrated more than Lennon at Tannadice as Celtic came from behind despite the SPL extending the season to accommodate Rangers UEFA Cup run- a move that may have helped Lennon to a hat-trick of championships in 2003.
In June of this year, after a spell as caretaker boss, Lennon was confirmed as Celtic manager and a new chapter was underway in the Lenny story.
“It wasn’t any surprise that he went on to become Celtic manager,” Boyd added. “He has the nature for the job, obviously the Celtic job came along quickly but he’s acquitted himself very well and is learning in the job.”
Ten years of Lennon and Celtic have certainly proved to be dramatic- the next six months promises to be just as addictive.
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Add your own comments, thoughts, highlights and memories about Lenny’s ten years at Celtic.
Loved it when he left the pitch at Ipox and he stopped in front of the Rangers fans, stooped and lifted an imaginary SPL Trophy! Class.