The Daily Record has completely contradicted the Sunday Mirror’s claim that Rafa Benitez will become Celtic manager. Both titles are part of the Reach Group.
Benitez left Chinese side Dalian Professional at lunchtime on Saturday which instantly sparked Twitter speculation that he could be on his way to Celtic.
In the early hours of today the Sunday Mirror presented it as mission accomplished but later on the same day their stablemates at the Daily Record report:
Record Sport understands there has been no contact with the former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager despite frenzied speculation he was poised to rock up at Parkhead.
And there’s been no call made yet over Lennon’s position with chief executive Peter Lawwell’s promised review of the managerial situation due to be completed in the next week.
Benitez set the rumour mill in to overdrive after he quit Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Pro at the weekend and is expected to head back to the UK.
Celts made tentative contact with the Spaniard following the departure of Brendan Rodgers in early 2019 but the Champions League winner opted to make a £6million-a-year mega money move to the Far East.
At the start of December on the back of fans protesting outside Celtic Park following home matches against Ross County and St Johnstone the club made a statement announcing their backing for Neil Lennon alongside a review of his situation in the new year.
Four matches into 2021 and Celtic are still without a win with no signs of the club looking to bolster the squad during the January transfer window.
Lennon’s lively media conference on Monday, during which he promised to deny Sky Sports access to his players wasn’t uploaded by the club onto their You Tube channel.
Before Celtic played Livingston Ryan Christie and Moi Elyounoussi were interviewed by Sky with the next instalment coming on Tuesday with Lennon expected to host a media conference to preview Wednesday’s match at home to Hamilton Accies.
