Neil Lennon: 'I was close to Celtic return'

Celtic manager Neil Lennon during a friendly with Brentford on July 20, 2013
© Getty Images
Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon says that he was interviewed ahead of a potential return to the club before Brendan Rodgers got the managerial role in Glasgow.

Neil Lennon has said that he was in the running to become Celtic manager for a second time before the job was given to Brendan Rodgers.

Between 2010 and 2014, Lennon guided Celtic to three Scottish Premiership titles and two Scottish Cups, but his time at Bolton Wanderers did not go as planned as the club were relegated to the third tier of English football.

However, Lennon has suggested that did not hinder his chances of a return to Celtic Park, with the Northern Irishman saying that he was under consideration until it was announced that Rodgers had been appointed as the club's new boss.

The 44-year-old told The Mirror: "I was close to Celtic. I just got pipped by Brendan. I was interviewed last week and then I got the shout on Friday they were going to announce someone else.

"So I am doing the Euros with the BBC and Irish TV and then I have a couple of options when I get back."

Lennon has been without a job since leaving Bolton by mutual consent in March.

Brendan Rodgers, manager of Liverpool looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on September 26, 2015 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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