Lennon has presence that can turn Hibs into winners, says Keatings
JAMES KEATINGS expects Neil Lennon to bring a fear factor into the Hibernian dressing room as the Leith side look to get themselves back into the top flight this season.
Lennon has taken over from Alan Stubbs, and Keatings, who worked with Lennon when he was starting out on his senior career at Celtic, has warned that the Irishman will not be shy at conveying any displeasure if he feels his players have fallen short of the mark.
The Irishman himself spoke of eradicating a “boyband” mentality within the Easter Road side on the day when he was unveiled as Hibs boss and Keatings expects him to be true to his word.
“Neil obviously has the fear factor,” said the 24-year-old.
“When he walks in you can feel it. He has that about him where you are brought back a wee bit by it. I was a young boy at Celtic when he was there and when he walked into the changing room he could silence it, so he has got that about him.”
The forward laughed off the boyband jibe, but he did acknowledge that Lennon’s reputation will go before him.
“I don’t know what to say about that,” he laughed when asked about his new manager’s colourful quote.
“He was talking about when he played against Hibs, although there are a few of our boys who could fit into a boy band now like Jason and Danny!
“He has seen Hibs and he is going to come in and want to change that mentality. He is a winner and he will demand that we win every game.
“He is a winner, he is demanding and he won’t accept us being beaten or even drawing. I know for a fact he will have the boys on their toes.”
Jason Cummings will meet with Lennon in France this week to discuss his future, while John McGinn has also been linked with moves elsewhere.
Keatings, however, is optimistic that Lennon’s presence is enough to entice them to stay at the club as they fight for promotion.
“He has managed with the top team in the country, he has managed in the Champions League in the last 16, so he brings a lot to the changing room,” he said. “I am sure if he sits down and chats to them he’ll put that across.”