Lennon ‘a great fit for Scotland’

BRENDAN RODGERS has urged the SFA to open talks with Neil Lennon over the Scotland vacancy. Rejected by Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill earlier this week, the governing body’s chief executive Stewart Regan has been forced back to the drawing board as he seeks to secure Gordon Strachan’s successor. And Rodgers believes Hibernian boss Lennon’s track record both as a player and manager since first coming to Scotland in 2000 is the envy of many. Asked if the SFA should consider his fellow Northern Irishman, Rodgers said: ‘One hundred percent. I think they should at least ring him to see if he’s interested. Because I’m sure that could be a great fit. ‘He’s tactically good. He’ll have worked with a lot of the players. He knows the game up here, having also had a stint down south as well. ‘He’s got a really good football brain. ‘Yeah, I think they should be certainly seeing if he’s interested in the job. ‘There is absolutely no question for me. There have been a number of guys that have been touted for the job. ‘But for me Lenny has to be one. ‘They certainly have to ask the question because he would be a huge success at it.’ Steve Clarke has growing support after overseeing a turnaround in fortunes at Kilmarnock, while former Scotland manager Alex McLeish has expressed a desire to hold the position again. But, with many in-work managers reluctant to be considered purely due to the drop in salary that would be required, there are concerns that the post is not as attractive a proposition as it once was. Rodgers, though, feels the position retains the capacity to attract a high-quality level of candidate. ‘I don’t know what the role entails,’ he insisted. ‘But there is a great challenge here, which is a great test to try and get this team to the European Championships or a World Cup. ‘There is a great chance. I have always felt there is a great group of players here. There is an opportunity here.’