Source: Team_Talk
Lennon 'prepared' for Celtic snub
eil Lennon is crossing his fingers he is handed the Celtic job on a permanent basis - but he is already preparing himself to be turned down.[LNB] Lennon will discover his future after Sunday's final SPL game against Hearts at Tynecastle, where victory will extend his winning run in the SPL to eight games.[LNB]The Irishman is keen to be appointed on a permanent basis but asked what his feelings would be if Celtic's owner Dermot Desmond said no, Lennon replied: "I am prepared for that, I am comfortable with it.[LNB]"Everyone is saying it would be devastating. It won't. It's football and I have had highs and lows as a player.[LNB]"Very early in what you would deem my managerial career, I had a huge low (losing to Ross County) and came through that okay.[LNB]"So it won't be a devastating blow, but it will be a disappointment, yes.[LNB]"I haven't spoken to Dermot about it yet, I will probably speak to him after the game."[LNB]Lennon continued: "The way I look at it, you might not get that opportunity again so you have to take it and if I crash and burn, I crash and burn on my own merits.[LNB]"But again, I am pretty positive about things.[LNB]"I know there are pitfalls and I know there are other outside influences that can have a negative effect.[LNB]"So I'm well aware of the dangers, not to my health but my career but I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't take it.[LNB]"Football changes and who knows, four years down the line I might not want the job or have my eyes on something else, I don't know.[LNB]"I think you live in the present and if I get offered job, I will have to take it."[LNB]The former Celtic captain and reserve team coach insists he has proved to himself since taking over from Tony Mowbray in March that he is up to the task.[LNB]"I've learned that I can do it," he said.[LNB]"You just never know if you can deal with the challenges in front of you.[LNB]"I'm not smug about it, but I'm just pleased with the way I've been able to adapt to the situation and take on the challenges.[LNB]"I'm surprised that I haven't felt the pressure, maybe it's because the job is not mine permanently, I don't know.[LNB]"I haven't been losing sleep or been stressed, I've just sort of got on with it."[LNB]Lennon has been heartened by the endorsements he has received from his players in recent weeks but does not think that support will make much difference to Desmond's final decision.[LNB]He said: "Lifting and motivating the players and getting performances out of them, that's what has pleased me the most and I can't thank the players enough.[LNB]"Do boards take notice of what players say? I'm not so sure.[LNB]"I appreciate the players sentiments, I really do, but I don't think it will sway the board's mind one way or the other.[LNB]"But I'm pleased that the players want me to get the job."
