Source: FOOTYMAD
Lennon's the man says Mjallby
With a degress of self interest, Johan Mjallby beleives Neil Lennon is in with a real chance of the permanent job of manager Johan Mjallby considers his double act with Neil Lennon are real contenders for the full-time management of the club. All they need to do is extend the five-game winning streak in the league to ensure their profile is high enough in the board of directors minds when a decision has to be made. Lennon and Mjallby oversaw their fifth consecutive SPL win when they ended Dundee United's 11-match unbeaten run at Tannadice. This restored some pride which could be enhanced if they can mastermind the defeat of newly-crowned champions Rangers next Tuesday. Temporary assistant manager Mjallby believes wins over Motherwell and Hearts as well would put himself and Lennon in the frame for a permanent appointment. The big Swede said: "I think the main thing for the board is to try to take the club forward. It's up to them to decide who is going to be in charge. But if we win the last three games, we have got eight on the trot in the league. Then, at least, I think you could say our name should be in the hat." Mjallby was always aware his stint at Celtic Park could be a short one when he was approached by former Parkhead team-mate Lennon to take up the challenge at his former club. But he warned a number of the current squad could also be in danger of leaving the club in the summer if they do not keep up their recent SPL form in the closing weeks of the campaign. The former defender said: "We have enjoyed it so far and we still need to ensure we have a few good results between now and the end of the season. If we do that, hopefully Neil has a good chance of getting the job. If he wants me on board, I'm definitely going to say yes because it's brilliant to be here. We can only do our best and try to make sure we're going to go away with a couple of good results, and obviously the Rangers game is going to be a very important one. Every Old Firm game is so important. As a player it's very important to go out and show that you love the club, that you're proud to wear the Celtic jersey." Mjallby insisted the uncertainty over the managerial position was irrelevant to the players in the coming weeks. He said: "I don't think it's a big thing for them who is going to be in charge next season. The main thing for them is to show they are good enough as well. So there are still three big games for them as well as for us." Mjallby claimed Lennon's man-management had been "spot on" and believes he has restored spirit to the team following the Hampden shock against County. The 39-year-old went on: "I would say Neil has been outstanding so far, he has been great with the players and has been making the right decisions. Unfortunately, when we lost in the semi-final, I don't think the tactics were wrong. We just didn't pass the ball or work hard enough as a team. I think, after the disaster against Ross County, we have seen a bit more passion in the team. I think they work harder for each other out on the pitch. You all saw that on Sunday against Dundee United, which was a hard game. We were much more solid than we were before. If you are solid at the back then we have got firepower up front that can change games for us. Obviously there are a lot of things to work on to make this team really successful again, but we only had a few weeks to work on things so it's not easy. When you start pre-season, then you could work on things tactically."
