The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Names in the frame . . .
Who could replace Neil Lennon at Celtic?
● Steve Clarke
The Scotland boss has emerged as a favourite, though he has declared he will not leave his job before leading his country into their first major tournament in 23 years.
● Roy Keane
Now a pundit, the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland skipper had a short spell at Parkhead at the end of his playing days.
● John Kennedy
It has long been thought the former Celtic defender is a future boss. As part of the Lennon regime, he may have to return another day.
● Michael O’Neill The former Northern Ireland man is boss at Championship Stoke. As Northern Ireland boss, he guided them to a first Euro Championships.
● Eddie Howe
The ex-Bournemouth boss has previously been a clear bookies’ favourite and remains so with fans on social media.
● Jack Ross
The former Alloa and St Mirren boss has rebuilt his reputation at Hibernian after a brief spell at Sunderland ended following failure in the League One play-offs.
Ross County manager John Hughes says Neil Lennon’s ultimately unsuccessful strive for consistency with Celtic is no different to his own at Victoria Park.
The Hoops yesterday announced Lennon’s resignation from Parkhead, following a bitterly disappointing defence of the Premiership title.
County’s 1-0 victory over Celtic on Sunday left Lennon’s men 18 points adrift of leaders and old rivals Rangers, in a year in which the Hoops were pushing for a recordbreaking 10th successive league triumph.
Hughes insists his objectives are similar, albeit in trying to meet a drastically different challenge of keeping the Staggies in the top flight.
Hughes said: “I read Neil’s statement, it wasn’t for the lack of trying and he was giving it everything he had to try to get that run going.
“It just never happened and that is part and parcel of football.
“It is a rollercoaster being a manager. I am sitting here with a good win on the board, but I am too experienced to get carried away because I can’t get consistency of performance from my team.
“One minute we are up and the next we are down there.
“I am trying to get a consistency and we are all in the same boat.
“Neil was working with Celtic and far better players.
“Look at the other side of the city at Rangers when Celtic were winning ninein-a-row and Rangers were up and down.
“I really feel for Neil and I think he’ll be a big miss for Scottish football. He’s got that presence and character plus he’s an honest guy.
“He has had some wonderful success but that’s the game we’re in. We know what we’re going into.
“I just wish Neil best. all the
“I don’t think it will be too long before he is back in football. He is so astute and an articulate man.”
Hughes feels the absence of supporters at games this season due to Covid-19 has had a more profound effect on Celtic than most other sides.
He added: “It’s really difficult. My first game for Ross County was at Parkhead.
“Celtic beat us 2-0, but after 20 minutes I said to Neil it wasn’t football.
“Neil, realising what I meant, said especially at a club like Celtic who are famous for their supporters there.
“Some clubs have thrived on it while others have been affected and I think
Celtic have affected.
“As the great man Jock Stein said, football is nothing without its supporters. I think those words are true especially when it comes to Celtic and that great fanbase at Parkhead.”
Hughes feels the atmosphere around his own club has also been drastically affected by the pandemic, having hindered the day-to-day interaction among the players.
He added: “We can talk about Celtic, but it is right across football.
“Some teams have benefited from it, but you just need to get on with it. It is not the same and there is just something lacking. been really
“That has crept into a lot of clubs, teams and players individually, that lacklustre feel. Some clubs have handled it better than others because others have suffered because of it.
“I think it has played a massive part up here at Ross County.
“Our facilities are second to none, but a big thing is that the boys are used to coming in to get their breakfast and lunch and that was good for camaraderie and team spirit.
“Even going for cups of coffee or a game of golf with your teammates you are struggling to do and I think it has had a massive impact on football as a whole.”