OPINION
Neil Lennon has made the most of Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic since succeeding Brendan Rodgers and it is working wonders for all parties involved.
The 24-year-old has featured in the Hoops last five games and has looked an assured presence at the back.
Simunovic even managed to be more than just a rock at the back in his latest outing against Kilmarnock as he was the player who stepped up to get the goal that earned his side a narrow 1-0 win.
The centre-back looks full of confidence, seems to suit Lennon’s system and now looks worthy of being considered first-choice option when it comes to the central defensive positions at the club.
Yet this wasn’t the case under Rodgers.
Simunovic was in-and-out of the team under the former Celtic boss, partly due to injuries, and just never seemed able to deliver the performance he was capable of when called upon.
Whether being dropped every so often saw his confidence shattered under the now Leicester City boss is arguable, however maybe Lennon just knows how best to get Simunovic showcasing his abilities.
It says so much about how Lennon has helped the defender improve in recent weeks as Chris Sutton claimed that ahead of the current Celtic boss showing belief in him, the player was facing exiting the club as his days looked numbered.
“Yes I think it’s a good question, I think under Neil Lennon, Lennon has shown full belief in him,” said Sutton on BT Sport’s Periscope stream (5mins 20, Sunday April 28th).
“I always felt there was a player there but the issue with Simunovic was that he had a big injury problem.
“Yeah (doubted by Rodgers) he looked like his days were numbered at Celtic, yet he is here to stay now.”
With that in mind, while Lennon may not get the full-time position as manager, he has managed to leave a little big of a legacy behind whatever happens by transforming Simunovic.