OPINION
Celtic midfielder Scott Brown attempted to champion Neil Lennon’s cause to be made permanent manager of the Hoops but his remarks stitch up his current boss if anything.
The Celtic captain shared how he thought Lennon had done a great job so far since succeeding Brendan Rodgers and highlighted what a tough task it was for him to take the reigns, and also added how everyone loves him in the dressing room.
Yet Brown also reiterated a couple of times that Lennon hasn’t really changed much as he has just shaped the team the same way as Rodgers did, and that he encourages the team to play just like they did under the now Leicester City manager.
“Neil is very good at what he does as well and he has just tried to keep everything running along the same lines as Brendan,” said Brown, as quoted by the Scottish Sun.
“It’s been a tough run and it’s been tough for the gaffer coming in after Brendan. He has dive-bombed into the deep end with two feet and he enjoys it as well.
“He enjoys being back with the lads and back at Celtic Park. Everyone loves him in the Lennoxtown dressing room and at Celtic Park.
“He has been a great man for the job so far. He just wants us to get over the line, whether we win at Aberdeen or wherever.
“We just want to get over the line as quickly as possible and do it for him as well. He has kept the same style and shape as Brendan had.”
While some will argue that Lennon had no choice but to just continue Rodgers’ work at Celtic Park, doing so doesn’t help his cause to be full-time boss.
The 47-year-old is only in temporary charge of the Hoops and needs to show he can move the club further forward than Rodgers ever did, and mimicking his work isn’t exactly showing he is capable.
Lennon should be using his temporary reign not only to rack up positive results, but in order to show what direction he wants to take the team in.
Rodgers left Celtic comfortably top of the league before heading to the King Power Stadium, so it wasn’t like Lennon had to worry about too much upon arriving.
While Brown is clearly open to Lennon taking charge permanently as he highlights several positives about the manager, the rest of his remarks work against the experienced boss getting the gig beyond this season.