Chris Sutton has claimed that Neil Lennon will need “serious investment” at Celtic this summer.
The Northern Irishman was given the full time job after guiding the Hoops to a treble treble with a Scottish Cup win on Saturday, but Sutton claims that his ex-teammate will be under no illusions about the task facing him at Parkhead.
Writing in a column for the Daily Record, he said: “Serious investment is required and this is where Lennon will see just how he is being backed by his club.
“I’ve no idea what he’s promised, or if he’s promised anything at this stage. But I do know he’s not a silly man and being a Celtic supporter himself, he’ll be fully aware of what the next two seasons mean for the club.
“He’ll be aware of what it’ll be like to known as the guy who blew 10 in a row.
“Unfair or not, that’s how Lennon will be viewed in some quarters if they don’t win the next two titles and he’s surely not just going to accept the gig unless he has some guarantees he’ll get big money to spend.”
OPINION
The assumption was from pretty much all corners prior to Lennon taking the Celtic job that he was aching to do so. Being a Celtic fan and having already managed the Hoops once, it’s easy to see why he might be desperate to do so again. But Sutton raises a very good point here. Following in Brendan Rodgers’ footsteps leaves Lennon with not very much to gain and an awful lot to lose. Nine domestic trophies on the bounce is some record, but it also one that sets a ridiculously high precedent. Nobody wants to be the man who lets that kind of unprecedented success slip through their fingers, and Lennon will be more aware of that than anyone. Factor in a Rangers side who are looking evermore dangerous under Steven Gerrard, and you can understand why Sutton is making these kind of noises. After securing the treble treble, the priority must now be 10 in a row. For Lennon’s sake, you hope he pulls it off.