Brown wants Lennon to stay

Celtic captain Scott Brown wants Neil Lennon to be confirmed as next season’s manager before Saturday’s Scottish Cup final.

Despite a fraught campaign which saw him targeted with suspected parcel bombs, the subject of an alleged assault at Tynecastle last week, and the intended recipient of bullets through the post, resulting in him receiving constant police and private security protection, Lennon led Celtic to second place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League as Rangers won the title by one point.

And, ahead of Saturday’s Hampden final against Motherwell, Brown reiterated the players’ support for Lennon, who is on a six-month rolling contract at Parkhead, and called for his long-term future to be resolved.

Brown wrote on www.talentnation.com: “I think everyone within the squad wants the manager to stay on and continue the good work we’ve achieved this season.

“If we could head into the final knowing for certain he was our boss for next season and hopefully beyond it would be a huge bonus.

“He’s a terrific gaffer and the whole squad loves working for him.

“Obviously we didn’t manage to win the league back this year and we’re all hugely disappointed with that.

“But I think it would give the club a huge lift if the gaffer was handed an extension to his deal because it’s what we all want.

“No-one wants it to drag into the summer.”