Lennon thanks Lawwell

Neil Lennon paid tribute to Peter Lawwell for his part in the Irishman being made Celtic manager.

The 38-year-old former Hoops’ captain was flanked by chairman John Reid at a press conference at Parkhead yesterday morning when it was confirmed that he would be Tony Mowbray’s successor, after a spell as interim boss.

However, while answering an array of questions from who would be in his back room team to which new players would be coming to Celtic, Lennon took time out to thank the club’s chief executive for persuading him to stay at Parkhead last year when other clubs tried to tempt him away.

“I have a very good working relationship with Peter and I would like to make the point that I probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him,” the former Northern Ireland international said.

“I had offers last year to go to England and work but Peter convinced me to stay on.

“He saw potential in me and made me feel I was an important of the club so I owe Peter a lot.

“The board kept me abreast to the comings and goings.

“As the time went on I was anxious but when I was told I was told I was getting the job I was relieved but delighted.”

Lennon added: “I’m confident.

“It’s a priority to challenge for the title as it is every season.

“As a player I knew how to get it done, I’ve done it once as a coach, albeit over eight or nine games under Gordon Strachan.

“I know last season wasn’t good enough but the players showed me in the last eight or nine games that they do have it in them.

“They proved a lot to themselves and I hope that optimism will go through to the start of the season and they hit the ground running.

“But I will look to bring a few players in with a bit more experience, a bit more nous and a better mentality than we showed last season.”

Lennon refused to confirm who he will bring in as his backroom staff but it has been reported his assistant Johan Mjallby will be joined by former Celtic midfielder Alan Thompson and Garry Parker.

The former Leicester midfielder admitted he will be looking for someone with greater experience to help him but was quick to stress that Finland coach Stuart Baxter, reportedly put forward by the Celtic board, is only a candidate.

“Obviously experience is the one thing I don’t have, I have other attributes,” added Lennon.

“It’s an area that I might look to tap in to, but again that will be a announcement made when the decision is finalised by myself.

“He (Baxter) is a candidate amongst others.

“But as with all the football decisions, whether they be backroom staff, medical, or sport science, I will have the final say.

“But in that list of bringing in someone with more experience, he is a candidate.”