IT’S QUESTION TIME FOR LENNON
Petrov warns caretaker manager will wrestle with pros and cons of following Rodgers... and may decide Celtic job is not the right fit
CELTIC’S board of directors face a big decision after Saturday’s Scottish Cup final over whether to appoint Neil Lennon as their next permanent boss.
But Stiliyan Petrov believes the debate over whether his former team-mate will or won’t get the job has excluded one potential outcome.
Far from a fait accompli, the Bulgarian insists Lennon may need convincing to accept the post after a testing few months since returning to the club in a caretaker capacity following the sudden exit of Brendan Rodgers. Lennon remains an underwhelming choice in the eyes of a disgruntled section of the Celtic support that Petrov believes has been left spoiled by the trophy-laden Rodgers era.
And with the team in need of a major rebuild this summer, Petrov believes Lennon must be satisfied with the resources he would be given if he is to take a job where the fans will demand yet another treble on the road to ten-in-a-row.
‘Everyone is talking about whether Lenny will get the Celtic job but he has to analyse it and see if it’s a good job for him,’ argued Petrov. ‘It’s not just a debate from the club’s side but from Lenny’s side, as well.
‘Lenny would be inheriting a squad built by Brendan Rodgers with his own players who could fit his style.
‘But Neil Lennon is completely different and if he is to continue, then they have to sit and analyse where the club is going.
‘What do they do about Rangers closing the gap? What do they have to do to make an impact in European football again?
‘What do they have to add to the squad? There’s a lot of conversations needed and Neil Lennon has a lot of questions to ask.
‘Celtic are going in a good direction but they need to make sure they’re back in the Champions League again next season and going for ten-in-a-row.
‘I do think Brendan spoiled the fans as the team played very good football.
‘He brought exciting young players and scored a lot of goals, and maybe that’s why the Celtic fans are demanding more from Neil. The fans want to win more and more every season. Celtic are going for a ninth trophy in a row. That is something special but still the fans want more.
‘They could win a third Treble this season and have to defend that. I bet 80 per cent of the fans would expect the Treble again next season.
‘But to do that, you have to be very powerful and remain a step ahead of your opponents.
‘If Lenny finishes with the Treble — and I know he did not do all of the work — I hope he gets the job and that he is given the support of the club.
‘But if not, I’m sure with Lenny’s CV he will have other offers to manage elsewhere.’
Petrov believes Lennon has done a fine job under the most intense pressure.
Whether his old team-mate gets the post or not, he hopes a quick decision is forthcoming to allow the next manager to plan for the Champions League qualifiers starting on July 9.
‘When Lenny took over he knew how difficult the job would be,’ said Petrov. ‘He walked back into the club without any of his staff and it was very tough for him, but when Celtic come calling you have to do it.
‘He knew there would come a point where people would question him but he’s done a good job so far.
‘He deserves more credit but sometimes as a manager you don’t get the things you deserve.
‘But I do think they have to make a quick decision on his future. The European qualifiers come very early in the summer, so Celtic need to have a lot of answers by the time the season finishes.
‘That would show they have a clear plan and that they know what they are going to do.
‘If you look at it, Lenny will be losing a few important players from the team, so they can’t afford to waste time.
‘He won’t end up buying five or six players. It will be more like two or three — but two or three of the right kind of players.
‘The kind of players that can take the club forward and challenge for the Treble again and do well in Europe.
‘I’m sure the Celtic scouting department is working hard and will be ready to make a move. But do you make a move as a club if you don’t have a manager?
‘If you do, there will be questions about who makes the decisions and who is building the team.
‘That’s why a quick decision on the manager would be good for the fans and for whoever gets the job.’
Jose Mourinho and Claudio Ranieri are among those linked with the Parkhead post, although Celtic have shot down claims Mourinho had been offered the job.
Should Lennon not get the nod for a second permanent spell as boss, Petrov believes the position would be of interest to a big name.
‘I believe it’s an attractive job to someone of that calibre,’ he argued. ‘I read Mourinho talking about the club. We should be flattered a manager of that calibre is looking at a club like Celtic.’
lStiliyan Petrov was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.