Source: Team_Talk
Bhoys to unveil new boss Lennon
SPL giants Celtic are set to end weeks of speculation by unveiling Neil Lennon as their new manager at Parkhead on Wednesday morning.[LNB] The club have called a press conference for 11am at Parkhead where they will introduce Tony Mowbray's successor.[LNB]It is understood 38-year-old Lennon has been handed the role following his successful spell as interim boss, which began when Mowbray departed in March.[LNB]The appointment looks set to go down well with the club's fans who have seen rivals Rangers win back-to-back Scottish Premier League titles.[LNB]"He is certainly a fans' favourite," said Alan Horne, president of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters Clubs. "He's got a passion for the club and he has desire and hunger and a will to win. I think he will be a great appointment.[LNB]"You will always get people who think he is not experienced enough to manage at that level but give him a chance.[LNB]"He is very animated on the touchline, which was certainly lacking in the last manager.[LNB]"The fight on and off the park last year was pretty poor and I think Neil Lennon has instilled that back in the team."[LNB]Reports suggest Stuart Baxter will also come on board in an advisory capacity, although Celtic tonight declined to comment on the Finland coach's potential role within the new management team.[LNB]However, Horne believes most fans would have been comfortable with Lennon being given the job without the support of a 'mentor'.[LNB]He said: "Stuart Baxter's name has been mentioned in the press for the last few days now but I think the fans would be happy to take Neil Lennon on his own with Alan Thompson and Johan Mjallby.[LNB]"They were at the club for a number of years and were quite successful. They can relate to the fans and the fans can relate to them."[LNB]Now that the manager's position has been resolved, Horne is keen to see more big-name arrivals at Celtic following Robbie Keane's loan spell last term.[LNB]Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has been linked with a move to Glasgow but the fans' representative would rather see Craig Bellamy - another reported target - return to the Hoops.[LNB]He said: "Sol Campbell is an experienced campaigner. He has played for England many times and also has Champions League experience.[LNB]"He's 35, which is pretty old in the game, but there are players who play at the top level who are older than that.[LNB]"I think he would be a good signing but I think you're looking for your marquee signing to be a striker.[LNB]"If you're pressing me, I would love to see someone of the calibre of Craig Bellamy coming back again.[LNB]"He would be a fantastic signing for Celtic but it's all about cash and how much cash we've got to play with."[LNB]Former captain Lennon took over the helm in a caretaker capacity when Mowbray parted company with Celtic after just nine months in charge.[LNB]Hopes of landing the post on a long-term basis were initially dealt a blow following a shock Active Nation Scottish Cup defeat to Irn-Bru First Division side Ross County.[LNB]But an impressive recovery saw Celtic claim eight wins from eight in the SPL under Lennon to place him firmly in the frame for the job.[LNB]Lennon joined Celtic in a £5.75million move from Leicester in December 2000 and spent seven years in the east end of Glasgow, before spells with Nottingham Forest and Wycombe.[LNB]He returned to Parkhead in a coaching capacity in April 2008, before being put in charge of the reserves following Mowbray's appointment the following year.[LNB]Reports suggest he will be assisted in his new role by Mjallby, Thompson and former Leicester team-mate Garry Parker.
