Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert has said that it is “great” that Neil Lennon has been appointed as the club’s manager on a permanent basis.
Lennon took up the offer of staying on at Parkhead on Friday, after guiding the club to the final two trophies of the treble treble in an interim post last season.
Speaking to the Glasgow Evening Times, Lambert – who played alongside Lennon at Celtic – predicted that his fellow countryman can maintain the Hoops’ dominance of Scottish football next season.
“I think it is great,” the Ipswich manager said. “I think he has done really well since taking over. To win the two trophies that he did was an excellent achievement. Now that he has been appointed full-time he can really get into the job, get his feet well and truly under the table.
“He knows the club from before having been both a player and a manager and he appreciates exactly what is required. He is a good guy as well Lenny. Hopefully they can go on and have more success under him.
“[Celtic] will still be a strong side, without a doubt. They will still be the team to beat next season. Rangers will try and bridge the gap. But it is good that Lenny has got the job.”
OPINION
Lambert is right: appointing Lennon was a great move by Celtic. The Scotsman knows the club ttryhrough and through having been involved with the club both as a player and a manager. What’s more, Lennon has been involved in 10 of the last 14 titles won by the Hoops, which tells you all you need to know about his credentials. Celtic are expected to stage a clear-out this summer, which will allow the club to bring in some new players. But they will need to bring in quality signings. As Lambert says, Celtic will still be the team to beat next season, but that will only happen if they can keep up the consistency shown this term. Rangers will also have a busy summer planned and will be intent on closing the nine-point gap that separated the two sides in the Premiership last season, as well as putting in a better show in the cup competitions.