Source: FOOTYMAD
Lennon Here For The Long Run
There may be a lot of pressure on Neil Lennon but he has a strong character. Johan Mjallby does not expect Neil Lennon to cut and run from the manager's post at Parkhead. Lennon has not had a quiet life since he took over from Tony Mowbray on or off the field. In the build-up to yesterday's home game with Hamilton, a suspicious package addressed to the Northern Irishman was intercepted which resulted in his home being offered 24-hour surveillance. The incident came in the wake of the controversial midweek Old Firm Scottish Cup fifth-round replay at Parkhead which ended with Lennon clashing with Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist after the 1-0 home win which saw three visiting players sent off. Mjallby said: "He hasn't told me that he has had enough. He is a strong character. He is in this job for the long run. He can certainly take the pressure so I would be very surprised if that happened. He is upbeat, in a good state of mind and fairly happy. After Wednesday's game all we did was concentrate on this game (against Hamilton) and he is very good at that. All the other stuff behind the scenes is unacceptable. I know he is probably used to it but it shouldn't happen anyway.'' Normally the quieter of the managerial pairing, Mjallby got caught up in the heat of the moment stuff at half-time against Rangers and The SFA have begun an investigation in to all of the events on Wednesday. Mjallby played down his own involvement in the tunnel at half-time when he appeared to clash with Rangers defender Kyle Bartley. The former Celtic defender denied he had lost his head. Mjallby said: "Not at all. Nothing happened really. There wasn't much in it and it is done and dusted.'' Scorer of the two goals which won the game on Saturday, Kris Commons is also confident that Lennon will stay at Parkhead. Asked if he was concerned that Lennon might come to the conclusion that he had enough of the hassle, the Scotland midfielder replied: "No. The impression that he has given us is that he is hungry, he wants to win titles, wants to win medals and he has brought in a lot of players who are striving to do that. He was in the dressing room before the game, at half-time and at full time so it didn't make a massive difference today. It is always nice to see him on the touchline but with regards doing my job and making a contribution, that's a personal thing and I thought I did that today. It was a good day for me. Two good goals and we got the three points so I am delighted.'' Hamilton boss Billy Reid described David Elebert's mistake, early in the second half, when he passed the ball across the box straight to Commons, who drove the ball past Tomas Cerny, as "suicidal''. He said: "We had adapted well to the situation we were in. "We set up really well and I don't think Cerny had touched the ball before Celtic scored with a fantastic strike from Kris Commons. I said to the players at half-time to continue to play in the right manner. But it was suicidal to give away the second goal. It was a disaster for us. David is gutted obviously. He did it in the first half and I had a go at him. But he gave it straight to Kris Commons who finished expertly.'' Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is ScottishFitba Net
