Neil Lennon tips Celtic to break European ‘glass ceiling’

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Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has revealed he believes that Celtic could win another European trophy.

Lennon, the last manager to take Celtic to the knockout stages of the Champions League and Europa League, is currently without a job, having left Omonia Nicosia in October 2022.

Celtic are without a win in the Champions League for years, highlighting the challenging task of competing with Europe’s elite.

This season in the tournament, the Hoops have lost three games out of four, with one draw in yet another disappointing campaign.

The last time Celtic won a game in the Champions League was back in September 2017 against Anderlecht, highlighting the considerable gap that has grown between Europe’s elite and Celtic over the last decade.

Despite respectable performances against Lazio and Feyenoord this season, Brendan Rodgers’ side has been unable to secure favourable results.

Lennon said: [The Official Celtic FC Podcast], “I do think the glass ceiling will be broken one day. I do think we will get through to the last 16 again and hopefully someone takes them beyond the last 16.

“I do think there is another European trophy in us, whenever that will be who knows but I’d love to be there to see it.

“What I knew was we weren’t going to dominate games the way we do in Scotland. They are quality sides and we need to have a good defensive structure and have the capability to be a good counter-attacking team.

“A good spine like Wanyama and Brown, then it was Brown and McGregor. Good centre-forwards who can nick you a goal. At the minute we have Kyogo who’s really found his feet in the Champions League and he deserves it. We had Odsonne Edouard who was a pretty special talent – when he was in the mood! You’ve got to give them the belief they can do it and once they start to feel it, they trust what you are saying to them. You have to let them manage the game as well.”

Lennon highlights his more pragmatic approach in Europe, where he would, at times, make alterations to how Celtic played due to the opposition’s ability to dominate possession.

The former Celtic boss also gives credit to the midfielders he was able to field over two spells in charge in Victor Wanyama, Scott Brown, and Callum McGregor who have all undoubtedly played their part in huge European results for the Hoops.

Lennon’s comments are certainly hopeful that Celtic could win another European trophy, with success outside of Scotland long overdue. Celtic fans will be hopeful that Brendan Rodgers can bring greater success to the club in the coming years in European competitions.