Inexperience may count against Lennon-Mjallby appointments

JOHAN MJALLBY fears inexperience could see Neil Lennon and himself losing out on being appointed the management team on a permanent basis at Celtic.

After Tony Mowbray was sacked in March following a 4-0 defeat at St Mirren, Lennon was promoted from boss of the reserves and immediately recruited his former Hoops team mate as his assistant to guide the Parkhead side through to the end of the current campaign.

An Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Irn-Bru First Division side Ross County at Hampden soon afterwards appeared to have scuppered their hopes of being retained for next season.

However, the Hoops players have finished the season strongly and victory over Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday would see them finish the season with eight Clydesdale Bank Premier League wins in-a-row.

Mjallby was asked if inexperience may go against him and Lennon when it comes to the Parkhead board making their decision.

“I would say yes, because if you finish with eight straight wins and you can see team is working a wee bit harder for each other and doing better than before we came in, you have to say that inexperience is the only thing that should cost us the job,” he replied.

“I would be disappointed but we understand that there is always going to be cries for more experience and we haven’t got it.

“We still have to live with the disappointment of losing to Ross County, it still hurts.

“But we have done our best and if we can end with eight straight wins I will be happy anyway.

“The confidence is there now and the quality is shining through.

“Defensively we have looked stronger, despite injuries, and we are always going to be a threat going forward. I have worked my socks off trying to do the best I can and it’s been a great experience and whatever happens I will be happy with my short time here.”

Mjallby has the chance to become manager of AIK Stockholm in Sweden but he admits he would rather stay at Parkhead.

“Obviously there is a bit of speculation about the AIK Stockholm job,” the former Sweden international said. “I played at AIK for so many years so I can sit on the fence on that one and bide my time. I’m ready for it but I’d rather be here.