Neil Lennon has claimed that he used his influence to get Mikey Johnston to swap his international allegiance from Scotland to Ireland.
It seems a far fetched notion with Lennon leaving Celtic in February 2021 and Johnston making his Ireland debut in March 2023.
There is also a well known video clip showing Lennon as being less than sympathetic to Johnston in January 2020 when he picked up an injury after going on as a substitute against St Johnstone.
Lennon has only had a brief spell in management in Cyprus since quitting Celtic and appears more likely to build a career in the media than returning to management.
The Sun reports the former Celtic boss saying:
Damien (former Celtic coach Duff) and I were pestering Mikey for months and months; saying ‘don’t play for Scotland, play for Ireland.’
I didn’t actually know until I watched the France game that he had joined up with Ireland. He’s a mercurial player, with good feet and good pace.
From what I gather, his form in Portugal has been good and it’s been great to see him get senior caps.
A plethora of injury problems curtailed him, but if Mikey can stay fit, he would be a real bonus for Ireland. Hopefully, his injury problems are behind him because he’s a lovely boy and I hope he makes a good run of it.
Johnston made his Ireland debut in a friendly against Latvia, a couple of days before the European Championship match against France.
Under Lennon his career seemed to be going nowhere in particular, this summer looks like being critical to Johnston’s Celtic hopes as he returns to the club from a season long loan with Ange Postecoglou having very specific demands on his wingers.
Neil Lennon was not one bit happy with Mikey Johnston there ???(Via @btsportfootball) pic.twitter.com/sPcpAWmn6X
— talkingbaws (@talkingbawscom) January 29, 2020
Where does he claim it was his influence that made MJ chose Ireland? Clickbait nonsense.
Read the article.
It says it in The Sun
“Damien (former Celtic coach Duff) and I were pestering Mikey for months and months; saying ‘don’t play for Scotland, play for Ireland.’”
You got it?
I don’t trust Lennon the ALKIE, our version of the klan klubs John Brown rabbiting on a load of shite.
“He’s A Lovely Boy”. I’d watch yourself there Mikey!
And the Celtic “Mole” was in fact Lennon himself, who couldn’t keep his mouth shut when the Daily Record called.
Man, this guy has gone full circle and is steaming his way to a career in the media telling everything he ever knew about Celtic.
Which is good because maybe we’ll get to hear some sauce on Lawwell’s account!
I for one was never convinced he was “Celtic Through And Through”! or whatever.
He is as thick as pig-shite for one thing. He can’t see himself the way other people see him. Which is embarrassing for a public figure!
Personally I think he should go back and finish his education, which he gave op for the half-dim-half bright lights of Leicester!
And the jilted proddy whores, they’re everywhere!
Watch out!