John Hartson says Neil Lennon “seems a lot calmer”

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John Hartson admits he’s seen a difference in his former teammate Neil Lennon from his first stint as Celtic boss until now.

Lennon hasn’t had too much to frustrate him in recent weeks as his new look side have gone on a seven game winning run. The Bhoys are top of the league, into the Betfred Cup final and through to the last 32 of the Europa League with two games to spare.

And Hartson has revealed that Lennon is very happy with the state of his team, which has led to a much more relaxed demeanor.

“He seems a lot calmer and has great people under him,” Hartson told the Scottish Sun. “John Kennedy is rated exceptionally highly as a young coach by Celtic and there’s Damien Duff along with ex-players Darren O’Dea and Stephen McManus.

“In the time I spend with Neil he seems very comfortable in his skin and where he’s at in terms of his team.

“He feels he’s got a really strong team and they are playing exceptionally well with a great captain leading them in Scott Brown.

“But I do see a difference in him. It’s now a wiser Lenny who doesn’t berate referees as much, but when he did do that it was part of learning.

“If you keep making the same mistakes you get stuck in a rut. But as you get older and more experienced you learn.”

Hartson is not wrong with Lennon assessment

It’s hard to quantify Lennon’s current behaviour in comparison to that of his first tenure. But the Northern Irishman does seem a much milder, more mature, person who takes ups and downs in his stride.

However, it is easier to come across as a polished individual when your team are performing well on the pitch. It will be interesting to see how he copes if we do reach a stage when we’re going through a sticky patch.

In his first spell he regularly berated officials and was often sent to the stand during key moments. That explosiveness does seem to have gone which can only be a positive for the club as a whole.

Lennon now deals with things in a different manner. But he hasn’t lost any of the real fire in his belly. He still harbours a desire to win everything. Something that seems to be shared by his team at present.