Neil Lennon tipped to "bounce back" by former Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley

By Euan Davidson

July 10, 2021

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon is the best manager Joe Ledley has ever worked with, according to the ex-Bhoys midfielder.

Ledley, who played under Lennon between 2010 and 2014, has recently been spotted on Celtic TV, as part of the club’s commentary team. And he’s given his backing to his ex-manager, with whom he enjoyed a successful spell at Celtic Park.

Ledley said of his former manager [The Times]:

“Neil’s a good friend and a good manager.

“My time up there was special and I regard him as being probably the best manager I worked with.

“Circumstances were different last season and it didn’t work out for Celtic or Neil. But, I’m sure he’ll bounce back, he’ll find another club. We all wish him well.

“What he’s done at Celtic is unbelievable and people will always recognise that – especially those players he brought in, including me.

“He gave many of us an opportunity to play for a club like Celtic and we should always be grateful for that. Neil will definitely go down as one of the greatest managers I’ve played for.”

Former Celtic midfielder Joe Ledley gives backing to his former boss

Now 34, Ledley finds himself without a club. The 77-cap Welshman was most recently with Newport County [Transfermarkt]. A long-term deal didn’t materialise, however.

While he’d love a chance to play for Celtic again, the former Cardiff City and Crystal Palace midfielder reckons that ship has likely sailed.

His backing for Neil Lennon comes at an interesting time. The former Celtic manager has had an active month, appearing on the media to discuss a number of different topics relating to Celtic.

With Celtic embracing a bold new era under Ange Postecoglou, it’ll be interesting to see what becomes of Lennon. Whether there’s sufficient interest in him to bring him back to management is unknown at this stage.

Still a popular figure with Celtic supporters, Ledley was a welcome presence on commentary duty against Sheffield Wednesday. With the Bhoys training and playing in pre-season just down the road from the Welshman, we’ll hopefully get to hear more from him as preparations continue for 21-22.

It’s possible a Scottish side could take a chance on the former Premier League midfielder. For now, though, Ledley is considering his options, and seems to be enjoying talking about Celtic again.

And, most pressingly, about his former manager.

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