HIBS CLOSER TO LANDING LENNON

NEIL LENNON is inching closer to being confirmed as Hibs’ next manager, with Easter Road sources last night insisting negotiations with the Northern Irishman were progressing smoothly. Out of work since leaving Bolton at the turn of the year, the former Celtic manager is keen to make a swift return to frontline football this summer. Despite having interest from China, Lennon has made it clear he’s willing to take on the task on lifting the Scottish Cup holders out of the Championship at the third time of asking following Alan Stubbs’ departure to Rotherham. Lennon met with Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster late last week and positive talks have continued to the point where his return to football management in Scotland could be confirmed within the next 72 hours. It’s understood Garry Parker, who worked with him at Celtic and Bolton, would be his preferred choice of No2. Dempster has vowed to hand the new boss a big enough war chest to clinch automatic promotion next season and has stressed the link between supporters buying season tickets and the transfer business that can be done this summer. Hibs have sold almost 8,000 season tickets for next season, including 1,000 new holders — an encouraging figure according to Dempster. However, around 2,000 season-ticket holders from last season have still to renew and she is targeting a final figure of at least 10,000 to give the new boss the financial means to put together a team with the best chance of landing the Championship title. ‘We know you can help us get there to give us the best possible chance of winning the Championship outright and returning to the top flight where this club belongs,’ she said in a statement to fans. ‘The way to do it is to get back to games at Easter Road. I plan to give our new head coach the means necessary to win the Championship — it is easier to do this with you beside me.’ And she is eager to tap into the potential she witnessed as well over 100,000 thronged the streets to acclaim the first Hibs team to have won the Scottish Cup in 114 years. She said: ‘The win will live long in the life of every Hibernian supporter. It was a fantastic performance and to win in the final minutes of the game was incredible. ‘Now we want to realise that potential on a permanent basis and I really want us to create that togetherness longer term, to be a launch pad for all the things that are already great about our club.’