What more does Neil Lennon need to do to get his Celtic contract extended?
In playing terms the Celtic boss is now free to negotiate a new contract elsewhere with less than six months remaining on his current deal.
Lennon has no interest in moving elsewhere but putting him onto the type of rolling contract enjoyed by Martin O’Neill, Gordon Strachan and Tony Mowbray is only fair after the work that Lennon and his backroom team have put in.
“It’s too early,” Peter Lawwell responded to questions about his manager’s contract at the club AGM in November.
“Neil is doing very well and in the SPL he’s been remarkable. “We’ve got a new, young, vibrant management team, led by Neil, which will be here for a long time.
“When I say he will be here for a long time, I think it’s because he will keep on winning and the rest will be inevitable. He is delighted with the support the board have given him.”
The transformation in Celtic since 2010 turned into 2011 has been incredible.
Following the emphatic 4-0 win over Hearts in midweek there was an unexpected and unlikely surge for tickets for this afternoon’s Co-Operative Cup semi-final with Aberdeen at Hampden.
Lennon’s side didn’t disappoint as they replicated their midweek form to book their place in the final by running into a 4-0 half time lead.
The lazy ‘He doesn’t win the big matches’ cliche has been binned with convincing wins over Rangers, Hearts and Aberdeen to rejuvenate a support that was growing weary through December with nervy home performances that saw points dropped to Dundee United, Inverness Caley Thistle and Kilmarnock.
Celtic have swept Hearts and Aberdeen aside, both in-form opponents, with a style of play that hasn’t been seen by supporters since Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton were together in their prime.
As an added bonus for the boardroom the current squad are all relatively young and inexpensive and likely to attract Premiership interest before too long.
Under Lennon the value of Emilio Izaguirre, Gary Hooper and Biram Kayal has soared. Joe Ledley and Charlie Mulgrew were signed on free transfers whilst the nominal fee that brought Thomas Rogne to the club looks like kroners wisely invested.
Timing is all important in football but before February is out the Celtic board has to choose the moment to reward Lennon and his backroom team with the security of new contracts- the sort of contracts that have enticed Kelvin Wilson and Kris Commons to commit themselves to Celtic (and Lennon) for next season.
The reality of managing Celtic is that you have to be better than Rangers.
European success is desirable but when the chips are down finishing ahead of the only credible domestic challenger will always be the benchmark.
Whatever way you wish to look at it there is no-one better placed to manage Celtic next season than Lennon.
After a priceless season of coalface experience he has moulded together a team of potential whilst selling off Artur Boruc, Aiden McGeady and Stephen McManus.
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