NEIL LENNON admits Brendan Rodgers is a worthy candidate for Manager of the Year after another exceptional season which sees Celtic on the brink of a historic double treble.
The former Hoops boss is an admirer of his fellow-Irishman who takes the champions to Easter Road this afternoon within three points of their seventh successive title.
Lennon said: “The calibre of managers is very high and that’s why I think the league is getting better – but we are still trying to catch on to the coat-tails of Celtic.
“Brendan is on the cusp of another treble and Celtic have only lost two domestic games in two years.
“The pressure he is under, the style of football they play and the mentality they show is unbelievable.”
Lennon admitted some critics might point to Rodger’s record in Europe, but highlighted the fact the Hoops were still involved at that level after Christmas.
The Hibs gaffer also believes others should be applauded, most notably Kilmarnock’s Steve Clarke, who has taken the Rugby Park outfit from rock-bottom into the top six.
Aberdeen’s Derek McInnes is another on Lennon’s list despite the Dons’ Scottish Cup semi-final collapse against Motherwell a week ago.
And Fir Park chief Stephen Robinson is also hailed with Lennon saying: “I am a big fan of him.”
Outside the top-flight, the Edinburgh boss rated the efforts of St Mirren’s Jack Ross and Livingston’s David Hopkin.
He added: “The turnaround at St Mirren under Jack has been remarkable while David has done an incredible job on the budget he is on at Livingston, winning promotion from League One and then into second place in the Championship.”
Read more from Celtic Quick News …
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- BIRTHDAY BHOY AJER’S TITLE AIM
- ‘CALMAC SO LIKE TB,’ HOOPS BOSS
- CONFIRMED: GRIFF LEADS ATTACK
- LENNY’S PARTY-POOPERS DELAY TITLE CELEBRATIONS
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