Sutton’s brutal reaction to Lennon’s Mr Mellow makeover

Chris Sutton doesn’t believe that Neil Lennon has turned over a new leaf into a chilled out mellow manager.

Under Martin O’Neill the two players drove Celtic on to success against the odds as their drive and determination combined with the ability of a team that no one was going to push around and take liberties with.

In his first stint as Celtic manager newspapers liked nothing more than to produce pictures of Lennon snarling, hitting out at referees and booting water bottles around his dug out.

When he took over from Brendan Rodgers in February he was at pains to point out he was managing someone else’s team but over the summer he has been able to put his own stamp on the squad and the way that they play.

Last week’s Europa League tie in Rennes produced a number of flashpoints but there was no rantings or outbursts from Lennon although against Kilmarnock he showed that the flames hadn’t been completely doused by picking up a yellow card for disputing a penalty.

Sutton has watched his old team-mate closely this year and is far from convinced that Lenny has matured into Mr Mellow.

He told The Sun:

Look, honestly, Neil might be maturing with age. But deep down, I think Neil’s full of s*** when he says that he’s calmed down. The Neil Lennon I knew, the Neil Lennon I know — he’s all in. This is a guy who has a superb football brain. But I don’t believe he’s calm for one minute.

He was the most passionate player I ever played with. I can imagine every day he wakes up, it’s all about winning. Neil’s an intense character. That’s what made him such a great player — and why he’s done well in his management career.