FORMER Celtic boss Neil Lennon has scoffed at speculation linking him with Aston Villa.
The Bolton gaffer has been mentioned as a contender to replace the ex-Hoops skipper Paul Lambert, who was sacked following the 2-0 defeat at Hull City.
Lennon won three successive Premiership titles at Parkhead before leaving the club in the summer.
He replaced Dougie Freedman as Wanderers’ manager earlier this season.
Lennon said: “I’m fine here. There’s nothing in it at all. It’s just speculation.
“It’s not affected me one bit. The only time it affects me is when I have to answer questions on it.
“It’s flattering, but that’s all it is – just speculation.”
Lennon recently admitted that he craved a move south and had hoped to land a job in the Premier League. No offers were forthcoming in the summer and he accepted the Bolton job when it came his way.
Subsequently he has been linked to Premier League jobs at the likes of Leicester, Queens Park Rangers and now Aston Villa.
He has also declared an interest in returning to Celtic at some stage in the future, although Ronny Deila’s increasingly impressive reign as Celtic boss makes that prospect extremely unlikely.
Aston Villa are on a dismal run of two wins in 21 top-flight games, with the club on course to be the Premier League’s lowest-ever scorers after netting just 12 goals in their 25 matches. While Paul Lambert has paid for this poor form with his job it should be remembered that the club has an American owner who wants out and has not invested in the squad.
Watch out for Irish interest in the ownership of Aston Villa in the months ahead which could enhance Neil Lennon’s chances of landing the gaffer’s job for what would be the second former European Cup winners he has managed.
