Neil Lennon believes that he could be half way through his tenure as Celtic manager.
Since Jock Stein stepped down in 1979 no one has remained as Celtic boss for more than five years.
Martin O’Neill and Billy McNeill both had five year stints with Lennon coming up for his third anniversary from taking over from Tony Mowbray.
The Celtic team that faces Dundee today will be unrecognisable from the side that Lennon inherited and overhauled to return the club to the Champions League after a four year break.
Despite the turnaround the Celtic boss doesn’t have to look far for detractors- an aspect that he admits he takes to heart.
While managers have a time-span so to do players with the bulk of Lennon’s side in their third season at the club.
As soon as the summer transfer window opens speculation will be rife over the future’s of Gary Hooper, Victor Wanyama and others with Lennon preparing for some high profile departures.
“I do get irked at negativity,” he stated. “It really overwhelms me at times, where people are always looking for an excuse to pick on something, taking the goodness out of everything you are trying to do in the game. Sometimes the minority gets heard more than the majority.
“I think that’s a shame because we’ve got some really good players here and they might not be here for much longer. So we should enjoy them while we can.
“But the job’s been brilliant. Some people wait a lifetime to do what I’ve done in three years.
“Again, it’s been a great experience, a great life experience, never mind anything else. I take immense pride in being Celtic manager. It’s a privilege.
“I would be worried about going if I do move on or get sacked eventually and not having the same kind of kick about the job as I do here.
“There is, I think, a life expectancy in the job. I don’t know how long that is. Gordon said maybe four, five years.”
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I don’t even want to think about NL walking away. For so many of the Celtic family he is Celtic!
Said Willie,he’s not just had to turn the club around from the Mowbray shambles,he has had to do it while receiving bullets & bombs in the post, to having round the clock protection for his family!! The greatest wee country in the world? My arse it is. We are all proud of you Lenny,the shit you & your family endure at times,I wouldn’t blame you if you left,the MSM & footballing authorities in this country have let you down! We love you & always will do,God bless you my friend!HH!
I hope Lenny never leaves
Hope he’s around for a long time yet to add to the growing list of achievements. First aim is to draw Juve in the group stages next season and set a few things straight
I hope Sleekit remains at Sevco for years too, he’s doing a grand job, tee hee.
Just keep doing what your doing Lenny,keep winning the titles & make the group stages each year,we believe in you,WE ARE ALL NEIL LENNON!! One thing tho,we need to stop exiting cup competitions to far lesser teams,you get the praise when we win & scrutinised when we get beaten,I feel there is nothing wrong with this attitude from the supporters,this is normal & fair!
Lenny for first minister.
Pope
the negatives are from nobodys who will never appreciate anything so just listen to me Neil. You’ve worked a miracle and the whole football world knows it so stop moaning and get achieving.hail hail
Lenny is the man wouldn’t want ANYBODY else to manage us he’s the bhoy to lead us to 10+. The good players come and go better players will replace them It’s what we do (henrik apart) just hope the dross go aswell HH
Jock Stein,
Billy McNeil
Tommy Burns
Neil Lennon
Men who lived and breathed Celtic. Men who identified with the heart and soul of the club.
Inspirational men one and all.
Lenny, WE appreciate what you are doing and will thank you sincerely when you eventually do leave.
You have a big family in Celtic.