SCOTTISH CUP SPECIAL
Pittodrie spell proves McInnes is the real deal and Bristol City failure needn’t stain his CV, says Lennon
IF THEY weren’t so busy proving to be such fine managers with Aberdeen and Hibernian in the past few years, Derek McInnes and Neil Lennon would have had much in common to complain about when meeting up. Bitter chats about managing in the English Championship might have dominated, given the rough rides endured by both men in posts at Bristol City and Bolton Wanderers.
However, not only has moving on from an unhappy split turned out to be the best policy. Moving up in terms of the regard in which their talents are held has been possible in spite of the harrowing experiences leading to the sack down south.
Lennon admits he and McInnes are kindred spirits in this sense. If anyone can be quick to acknowledge that 15 months at Bristol City should never be seen as a stain on the CV of McInnes, then it’s Lennon.
There were extenuating financial circumstances behind the scenes at Ashton Gate which created an uphill battle McInnes was unable to win. At Bolton, Lennon’s 17-month
reign was blighted by
financial troubles he hadn’t seen coming when signing up for the challenge of returning the club to the Premier League.
McInnes’ outstandingly consistent Aberdeen tenure has long since rendered the spell at City a blip, certainly in the eyes of Rangers and Sunderland. Celtic recognised that Lennon’s soaring season of a top- flight return with Hibernian last year was much more relevant than the mess at the Macron.
‘You come back and you find another job and rebuild again,’ said Lennon. ‘So I think that Bristol City tenure was no reflection on Derek’s abilities. I think he just had a really rough deal with it but people on the outside looking in would say: “Oh he was terrible at Bristol City”.
‘He wasn’t actually. He was just working with his hands tied behind his back. The same way I was at Bolton. Bolton really hasn’t kicked on since, while Bristol City have.’
The pair have developed a warm, mutual appreciation over the years. McInnes boasts two recent knockout successes over Lennon, in the Scottish Cup semi-final of 2017 when the then-Hibernian boss berated his players for bringing a ‘boyband’ mentality to the game.
And, last September, the Dons prevailed on penalties in the League Cup quarter-finals at Easter Road to continue their fine tournament form since McInnes took charge.
‘I like him a lot and admire the job he’s done and admire the career he’s had as a manager,’ said Lennon. ‘He is very good at what he does.
‘I’ve been impressed with his tenure at Aberdeen. He has finished second four times, he’s been in semifinals and finals, he’s won a trophy and he keeps evolving the squad.
‘And he’s stayed. He’s had offers to go elsewhere and he’s stayed. Stayed loyal to Aberdeen. They are a good outfit and he’s found some good players along the way because he recruits well.
‘I think he’s a very good manager and I can see how there are a lot of clubs interested in his services.’
While McInnes has reshaped and revamped Aberdeen several times to keep them competitive at the top end of the Ladbrokes Premiership and homing in on Hampden occasions, Lennon approaches this meeting of tactical minds with someone else’s team.
He’s steering the well-oiled machine put in place by Brendan Rodgers, albeit he navigated a tricky quarter-final tie at former club Hibs.
Lennon explained: ‘They have done the huge body of work. I have stepped in only recently and I can’t take a huge amount of credit for what they have done.
‘Well, I can’t take any credit for what they have done so far apart from the quarter-final. I played a part in that and, hopefully, I am going to play a part in them winning on Sunday.
‘They have got to take all the credit for what they have achieved and what Brendan has put in place.
‘We are trying to keep everything on an even keel as we go along. There’s not much for me to tweak, if anything, really. It’s just for me to keep them primed and ready to go.’
Under Rodgers, any hint of vulnerability in Celtic was swiftly eradicated when a big stage was presented to his players.
Lennon is banking on that dynamic seeing them through following a few unconvincing displays, including last week’s draw with Livingston.
‘I don’t think they will need too much firing up,’ said Lennon. ‘I think the result last week and the criticism means there will be no complacency going into this game.
‘They have handled the competitions perfectly over the last couple of years. I am hoping there is going to be no hiccup but we’ll be ready if there is.
‘The mentality is good. I was really impressed by their approach to the Rangers game. They were really sharp with their focus on that and I’m looking for the same here.’
I can see why there are a lot of clubs interested in his services