Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has said that he is keen on the Ireland vacancy. The 52-year-old has been out the game since leaving the Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia and is keen on making a return to the game with an international role.
Stephen Kenny’s contract was allowed to expire earlier this year, leaving Ireland with a decision to make on who will take over the vacancy. Speaking to Ladbrokes Fan Zone, via Sun Sport, Lennon spoke about the job interesting him and having a lot of respect for the job that Kenny had done with Ireland.
“The Ireland vacancy is definitely something I would talk about.
“I’m sure there’s a process going on at the minute, and listen, it’s brilliant to be linked with the job.
“It’s something that would appeal to me. I’ll just have to wait and see.
“I’m sure they’re going to take their time with the decision; I don’t think they play again until March, so that allows them enough time to consider their candidates.
“But it’s brilliant to see my name in the mix, for sure. We’ll just wait and see if that ever develops.
“Moving to Ireland wouldn’t bother me. You know, I went to Cyprus for a year, and that was obviously a big cultural change.
“I went out there on my own because my son was sitting important exams at the time and I didn’t want to take him out of school.
“So, again, there’s no issue there with me, if I was to go over to Ireland, or abroad again.
“My son is now a full-time player at St Mirren, so he’s got his own career to look after and his mum would be right behind him with that.
“So I’ve no real issue with moving anywhere, really. If it’s the right job, and it’s the right sort of project that I want to take on, I’ll happily move for it.
“Stephen [Kenny] was really brave in that job, bringing in so many young players who will all benefit from that international experience at such an early age.
“And I think that whoever takes over from him will owe him a debt of gratitude for being brave enough to bring this new generation in.
“It’s always difficult bringing young players in, especially to the tough environment that is international football.
“But Stephen was really forthright in what he wanted to do, and that has to be respected.
“There’s huge potential there for the next manager to come in and take that team to the next level.”
Lennon won ten titles with Celtic, eight Scottish Cups and three league cups in two spells as manager and as a player. He is undoubtedly a Celtic legend but he also has successes with Hibs (promotion and highest finish) as well as with Omonia Nicosia winning Cyprus Cup and taking them to the Europa League.
Celtic have a somewhat vested interest in who takes over as Ireland manager given that the club have two players in the Mens National Team set up – Liam Scales and Mikey Johnston. Both players have made an impact with the Irish team under Kenny but their fortunes back in Glasgow have been poles apart.
Lennon is not a Celtic legend. He was very lucky to manage us, and made a mess of his final season. Clown.