Lenny mopped up after Mogga ... I’m sure he’ll sail through the wreckage left by Rodgers exit
Wilson was in shell-shocked Celts squad dragged up by bootstraps and he backs Neil to do it again
MARK WILSON watched Neil Lennon pick his way through the mess left by Tony Mowbray to rebuild a shattered Celtic side.
That’s why the former Hoops full-back is certain Lenny is the perfect man to clear up the Brendan Rodgers wreckage.
Wilson was part of the Celtic squad when Lennon stepped into the breach back in 2010. Mowbray had been bundled out of Parkhead leaving behind a squad that was on its knees.
This time the team is in far better shape but Wilson believes Lenny will still have a job to lift morale following Rodgers’s shock departure with just 11 league games and a Scottish Cup campaign to go.
Wilson says Celtic should thank their lucky stars salvage specialist Lennon was available to come in after seeing him in action nine years ago.
He said: “Lenny was very good back then. The job was thrust upon him with Mowbray leaving. Celtic were in the lurch then and it’s a bit like that now.
“Lenny took over and it was second nature to him. He got the boys in a better place and didn’t lose a league game, including the Rangers one.
“He got a reaction and that’s what will be needed again. The difference is Celtic are playing very well domestically so he doesn’t need to do too much.
“It will more be about lifting the side following Brendan’s departure. He’s already done that and there would have been no one better to do it.
“The manner of Brendan’s departure really was hugely disappointing but Celtic are fortunate they have a man like Neil Lennon who can come in at the drop of a hat.
“To fill that void quickly with games against Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen straight away and Rangers coming up at the end of the season was great.
“Neil knows the club inside out. It’s not like parachuting a David Moyes in there and him having to take a few weeks or months to get up to speed.
“He’s slotted in without any difficulty. It’s the safe option, the sensible option and for me the right option.”
Plenty of bosses would baulk at the prospect of replacing an all-conquering gaffer like Rodgers, especially with an historic treble treble on the line.
Wilson said: “Neil loves a challenge and it’s certainly that following Brendan.
“A lot of managers might have shied away from it. There is a lot to lose with some huge games coming up in the league and the Cup.
“It shows the character of the guy he’s willing to pick up the reins and get the job done. He will absolutely relish the opportunity to add to the trophies he’s won with Celtic. It’s difficult to please Celtic fans with managers.
“They were unconvinced by Ronny Deila but the club got it spot on with Brendan Rodgers.
“I would guess 100 per cent of the support were totally behind that appointment and it’s difficult to get that sort of backing. “He will relish this chance and unless he does something catastrophic I can see him getting the job past the summer. “He is the right fit and he’s a born winner. I saw it with him as a player and as a manager.” Wilson reckons Celtic have landed an even better version of Lennon the boss than the one who quit the club in 2014.
Wilson said: “There’s no doubt he’s returning a better manager. He went to England and dealt with the politics of the jobs and bigger egos.
“He had a lot to take on board there but he came back and had great success with another big club in Hibs.
“The brand of football he brought to Easter Road excited fans and was good to watch. Even Celtic supporters I know looked forward to Hibs coming to Parkhead because they knew it would be a good game.
“Lenny made them fearless but that has always been his way. If he plays with those tactics at Celtic he’ll do well because he’s got better players at his disposal.”