Lennon will be a legend if he seals ten in a row
BOSS SET TO JOIN CELTIC PANTHEON, SAYS THOMPSON By JOHN GREECHAN
FORMER Celtic star Alan Thompson insists Neil Lennon will join Jock Stein and Martin O’Neill on the list of the club’s greatest-ever managers if he delivers ten in a row. Thompson, sacked by the Hoops over ‘lifestyle issues’ in 2012 while serving as the Northern Irishman’s assistant, believes his old gaffer learned vital lessons in management just by watching predecessor Brendan Rodgers bring a sense of calm to the touchline.
‘If he goes on and does the ten, he’s up there with Jock Stein and Martin O’Neill in my eyes, without a doubt,’ said the Englishman.
‘Listen, there’s a lot of hard work between now and then. And I know what Neil will be saying to the players. What’s happened in the previous nine seasons is gone. This is a brand new season.
‘There will be rivalry from the other side like no other season. It’s going to be intense.
‘There will be ups and downs. He’s going to play a massive part in the season, even though he won’t be on the pitch.
‘He’s a strong character, an intelligent lad, he knows the game inside out, he’s played at the top level and won trophies.
‘And he’s won trophies on the other side of the touchline now, as well.
‘I think it will be tight, as it was this season up until Christmas. I watched the Old Firm game at New Year. Rangers were right in among it. But they faded away after the winter break. If they can sustain it a bit longer, it will be tight.
‘I was there when they won the first of the nine, so maybe I played a little part in it — only a little part.’ Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Football Podcast, former midfielder Thompson refused to be drawn on the details of his departure from the coaching staff at Celtic Park.
But the 46-year-old admitted: ‘It was a difficult time in my life. That might not have been Neil’s decision. It was very tough. I was having a tough time, personally.
‘I was out of work and going through a divorce. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. But I’ve come through it.
‘It was an awful time. The club will say they made the right decision at the time. But my opinion might be different.
‘I’ve got no problem with Lenny now. Lenny and I speak. He’s rung me once or twice about a few players, I’ve rang him for contact numbers. There’s no problem now.
‘Was there a period when we didn’t speak? Yes, absolutely. Lenny has got his reason and, I’ve got mine. But there’s absolutely no problem whatsoever now.’
Lennon’s second spell as manager at the club, having stepped into the breach when Rodgers departed for Leicester City in February of 2019, has been one of continuous success.
Having clinched the Treble to secure himself the job on a permanent basis, he then delivered the coveted nine in a row when the SPFL board ended season 2019-20 on a points-per-game basis — having built up a 13-point lead over Rangers when lockdown hit.
Thompson says a lot of that success has been down to his old team-mate’s change in demeanour and attitude.
‘In his first period, he made a lot of mistakes in terms of his anger on the touchline,’ said the former England international.
‘When he’s gone from Celtic to Bolton and then Hibs, he’s seen Brendan come in — and seen how Brendan holds himself on the touchline.
‘He’s probably sat back and thought: “You know, that’s an impressive way to come across to the fans and the players. It rubs off on the players”.
And I think he has mellowed, without a doubt. He’s calmer on the touchline.
‘I think it’s for the better.’