Lennon remains focused on getting Hibs back in to top flight

Hibs manager Neil Lennon admits his experience at Bolton would not put him off returning to England in the future.

His main focus, however, is leading the Leith side back to the Premiership after being appointed as Alan Stubbs’ successor during the summer.

Much of Lennon’s 17-month stint as Bolton manager, which ended in March, was plagued by off-field financial problems that hampered his desire to bolster the squad.

But Lennon insists he could be tempted to return south of the border.

He said: “The Bolton experience wasn’t a happy one, it was pretty difficult and you see lot of managers going through the same situation with other clubs.

“Financially, the club was in a far worse state than what it was being made out to be, so it was very difficult.

“It was a good experience in terms of managing a club in that position, but if I was to go back to England, first of all I would have to be successful here and I don’t want to run before I can walk.

“The ambition is obviously, or the priority is to get promotion this year. Where we go next year, well, if we get promotion I think we can aim for the top six anyway.”

Lennon also confirmed that he had applied for the Celtic vacancy before Brendan Rodgers was appointed as Ronny Deila’s successor.

He added: “I did apply for the job before Brendan got it. It was something that appealed to me, but I’m happy here.”

Ross MacLean has signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal with Motherwell.

The 19-year-old midfielder made his debut in January 2015 as a substitute in a 4-1 defeat against Dundee but has become more involved this season and impressed manager Mark McGhee enough to play him in the 4-3 home defeat to Celtic last weekend.

MacLean has followed fellow youngsters Jack McMillan, Chris Cadden and Allan Campbell in committing his future to the Steelmen until the summer of 2019.

Neil Lennon.