This January, Neil Lennon is in Dubai with his Celtic squad and backroom staff. Last January, he was in Dubai with the Hibernian equivalent. It’s remarkable how football has a habit of things changing, but staying the same.
In 2019, the Northern Irishman was coming to the end of his tenure at Easter Road although he didn’t know it. Soon after their return to Scotland it all went a little pear shaped. But who could have foreseen that unrest in the capital could become such good news for Lennon and Celtic?
Brendan Rodgers’ need for change allowed Lennon a second chance at the Celtic gig. And after lifting his own 2019 treble and topping our Europa League group, it’s fair to say that the man from Lurgan hasn’t really looked back.
“A lot can happen,” he told the Daily Record from the Middle East. “It was an amazing 12 months and an incredible turnaround.
“Nothing surprises me in football but it’s amazing how things have changed. I couldn’t have envisaged it happening as quickly.
“We then achieved a lot in the year, too. This time last year I was with Hibs. It’s crazy but you just never know where football will take you.
“I’m grateful for a lot of things but in particular the players who have been fantastic.
“We won three trophies in that time and, all right, the year didn’t end as we would all have hoped but there has been a big improvement. We know we have a title race on which is very exciting. I’m hoping it’s as good in 2020.”
Lennon is clearly relishing title fight
Lennon’s final comments on an “exciting” title race should be music to the Celtic support’s ears. For years we have heard pundits bemoan the fact that the Scottish league was a one horse race and that we would win the league just by turning up.
This year is different and the players should be genuinely excited by the prospect of a proper challenge for our dominance. The first half of the season tells us that the league is likely to go down to the wire. And while that pressure may be too much for some fans, it should be welcomed by the players. That’s why you play the game after all.
Lennon has answered the vast majority of the questions thrown at him since he regained the hotseat last February. If he can answer a few more between now and May we will have one hell of a celebration on our hands. The kind of celebration they could only dream of in Leith.
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