Lennon says ‘average’ Caixinha has been no better than Warburton
● Hibs head coach backs Mcinnes in his criticism of Rangers boss and declares his aim to finish second
Neil Lennon believes Pedro Caixinha’s Rangers reign has been no better than “average” and claims the Portuguese has failed to improve the side since succeeding Mark Warburton as Ibrox manager in March.
Lennon will be in direct competition with Caixinha next season after guiding Hibs to promotion and the Easter Road head coach has declared his intention to aim for second place as his side prepares to compete in the top flight for the first time since 2014.
Aberdeen, Rangers and Hearts may all have something to say about that and the war of words has already started. Caixinha infuriated Aberdeen manager Derek Mcinnes with comments about the Dons’ “cycle” coming to an end with the expected departures of Niall Mcginn and Ryan Jack.
It provoked a rebuke from Mcinnes, who claimed the Rangers boss should be “embarrassed” to finish third, behind an Aberdeen side put together on a smaller budget.
Speaking to BT Sport, Lennon said Mcinnes had every right to criticise Caixinha.
“I think he has been average to say the least,” Lennon said. “He talks great in front of the cameras, looks great. We all talk a great game about tactics and formations and this that and the other, it’s a results driven business. I don’t think there has been any improvement since Warburton left.
“I agree with Derek. I thought Derek was quite spiky in his press conference but he had every right to be. I think Derek has done a fantastic job and he’s right Rangers should finish above Aberdeen and he should not be talking about what Aberdeen are doing, about cycles.”
Lennon was also critical of the way Caixinha spoke openly about Rangers’ interest in Aberdeen captain Ryan Jack.
“He shouldn’t talk about players who are still at a club,” he said. “A lot of clubs like ourselves would be interested in Ryan Jack but you don’t talk about it publicly and I think that irked Derek as well and he has every right to have a go back.”
Lennon was also asked if his team could finish second and above capital rivals Hearts.
“That’s the intention,” he responded. “It’s important we keep momentum. What the players have shown over the last two years, particularly in the cup competitions when they’ve played against Premiership opposition, [is that] they can certainly hold their own if not better.”
Lennon has pinpointed signing policy as the key to finishing second in the top tier for the first time since 1975.
“I think it depends how well were cruit,” he said. “we’ve had a good look at Aberdeen this season, we’ve played Hearts over two games and they are teams who are there or thereabouts. I think Rangers will be stronger next season.
“Our challenge is first of all top six, then can we progress from there – but I want to finish best of the rest.”