NEIL LENNON believes Falkirk’s John McGlynn should be a consideration to become Celtic’s new manager.
The former Hoops gaffer is preparing to pit his wits against the 64-year-old team chief when Dunfermline take on his Premiership upstarts in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden tomorrow afternoon.
Lennon, who had two stints in the Parkhead dug-out, has clearly been impressed by McGlynn’s achievement to propel his unfancied club into the Premiership top six following back-to-back promotions.
It has been a startling rise to fame for Falkirk who are now only 90 minutes away from a place in Scotland’s soccer showpiece when the curtain comes down on the season at the national stadium on Saturday May 23.
DUG-OUT RIVALS…John McGlynn and Martin O’Neill meet and greet before Celtic’s 1-0 Premiership win at Falkirk in January.
Describing McGlynn as “one of the best coaches in the game here”, Lennon, speaking to BBC Sport, continued: “He’s got longevity. I think he should be in the conversation for the next Celtic manager.
“Whether that would appeal to John, I don’t know and I don’t want to throw him under the bus. I apologise to the Falkirk people, but that’s how I rate John.
“I don’t think I’ve ever come up against him in a competitive game. He’s in the way on Saturday, so we’ll just have to go at it as best we can.
“I’ve got such admiration and respect for what he’s achieved, not just at Falkirk but throughout his career.
“He’s learned, he’s worked hard and he’s reaping the rewards of it. Fair play. He’s a sponge and I know he’s very thorough in his detailed approach.”
HAMPDEN HERE WE COME…Neil Lennon applauds Dunfermline after another Scottish Cup victory, this time against Hibs.
McGlynn, who has also managed Hearts, Raith Rovers and Livingston manager, worked as a first-team scout and opposition analyst at Celtic from January 2015 until September 2018.
Lennon, 54, who won the Scottish Cup EIGHT times at Celtic – four apiece as a player and manager – hopes to derail McGlynn tomorrow to complete a Premiership hat-trick.
The Fifers have already knocked out Hibs and holders Aberdeen to reach this stage while Celtic play St Mirren in their tie at the same venue 24 hours later.
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