Six months ago I was squaring up to Solskjaer in the Europa League as Hibs boss... both our lives have changed dramatically

HIBS v CELTIC TODAY, EASTER ROAD,

THERE’S a reason fortune tellers don’t set up stalls around football grounds as the Mystic Megs would quickly be out of business.

It’s one thing telling gullible punters wee uncle Jimmy’s message from the afterlife but it’s another thing trying to predict the future in the beautiful game.

Not so long ago Neil Lennon was on national radio talking about how he was squaring up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the Europa League when he was in charge of Hibs and the Norwegian was in the Molde dugout.

Now the pair are a couple of caretakers in control of two of the biggest clubs in the land.

Solskjaer is doing a solid job of securing the Manchester United gig on a permanent basis while Lennon is only a matter of days from stepping in to the Brendan Rodgers breach at Parkhead.

It’s a funny old game, Saint. But it doesn’t end there.

Lenny made his return at Tynecastle – where he was abused and assaulted on his last visit – and now he’s heading back to Easter Road, less than a month on from his sacked/not sacked/ no longer manager saga.

Talk about a boot in the crystal balls.

Lennon said: “I mentioned that Sunday when I was doing the game for Radio Five Live, saying six months ago I was coming up against Ole for Molde in a Europa League qualifier.

“Both our lives have changed dramatically since then!

“It’s remarkable. It’s funny where things go for you in football and where you travel. It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m very grateful for it.”

The rapid return to Easter Road is another mischievous curve ball from the football gods. Lennon never got the chance to say goodbye and can’t predict the kind of hello he’ll get.

He said: “I don’t know. I would like to think it would be good. I think I was good for the club. We did a great job there. We did the first part, which was promotion, which wasn’t easy.

“We had a great season last year. It wasn’t so great this year but the standards we set last year were always going to be difficult to maintain, particularly with the quality of player we lost.

“Paul Heckingbottom has gone in there now, got three wins out of three and done really well.

“I never got the chance to say goodbye but these things happen. Brendan hasn’t had the chance to say goodbye to the Celtic support. That’s just way it is.

“One minute you’re working, you’re in the throes of it, you have been there for years, seeing people every day. Next minute, boom, it just all stops. And that takes a bit of getting used to.

“Will it be awkward? I wouldn’t