JOHAN MJALLBY insists Neil Lennon is relishing the challenge of making history at Celtic.
The Hoops boss has come under fire for some dire results this season, but he still has the phenomenal quadruple treble in his sights when the Parkhead men take on Hearts in the delayed Scottish Cup Final at Hampden on December 20.
Plus, of course, there is the history-in-the-making tenth successive title to be won to cap another glorious campaign of domestic domination.
Mjallby, the Irishman’s former team-mate and assistant manager, is supporting the gaffer to ride out the storm and claim the silverware in an unprecedented term.
The Swede, speaking on the Celtic Huddle Podcast, said: “I was impressed by Neil when I worked with him. He’s been through a lot in his playing and management career at Celtic.
“Of course, I have sympathy with him because he is under enormous pressure and has such a heavy workload.
“But, on the other hand, there is no other place Neil Lennon would love to be.
“He breathes Celtic. He breathes football. So, I think he loves this challenge. I really do. It’s a chance to make history.”
Mjallby continued: “I think he works more tactically now than he used to. He knows that today’s generation really need to be pinpointed what to do.
“They don’t want any responsibility. That’s not a criticism, that’s just the way it is. They need to be told exactly what to do.
“I think it is something that is a bit new to Neil, but he learns and takes it on. He’s certainly not a dinosaur.
“The years I spent with him, he was spot on tactically.
“He had a lot of great ideas that he didn’t always use, but was great during games to pinpoint whether things needed to change defensively or attacking wise.”
Mjallby turned his attention to the club’s 35-year-old skipper and added: “I am a big, big fan of Scott Brown, he is very important and he still has a lot to give.
“He’s a big leader in the dressing room and on the pitch. I don’t see too many recognised leaders in this team and that is going to be important in a season like this when they are trying to make history.
“If he loses his form and not perform as well as he normally does then Neil has something to think about.
“But I think he has been right to back his skipper because they don’t have too many leaders there.
“I still think though that you can rest him now and again, but he’s one of the fittest players around.”
Brown, of course, retired from the international scene and will have a well-earned break while Scotland play three quickfire games against Serbia in Belgrade tomorrow night, Slovakia on Sunday afternoon and Israel on Wednesday evening.
The midfield powerhouse will be raring to go when he faces his former team Hibs at Easter Road in another vitally important Premiership game a week on Saturday.
