MX23RW : Tuesday, April 23 16:53:58| >> :600:356672:356672:

Celtic manager Neil Lennon wants Scottish manager to get national team job

Lennon wants Scottish manager to get national team job
© Reuters
The Northern Irishman has ruled himself out of contention for the role.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon believes the next Scotland manager should be Scottish as he ruled himself out the running for the Hampden hot seat.

The Scottish Football Association is on the hunt for a new national team boss after Alex McLeish departed on Thursday.

Asked if international management was something that would interest him, the Northern Irishman said: "No. I like the day-to day stuff.

"The Scotland job should be – whether you think this is antiquated or not – (for) a Scotland man and there is plenty of good candidates in line for the job.

"The decision to remove Alex was premature and seemed to be based on one result (3-0 defeat in Kazakhstan) which is scandalous from my point of view.

"There are a lot of good candidates out there and it is still a prime job.

"It is the national job, the national game here and what it would mean to a Scotsman to manage his country.

"I put myself in those shoes if I was a manager my own country – it would mean everything to them.

"The public might want the best man for the job and it might be out with a Scottish guy but personally I think the best man for the Scotland job has to be Scottish. That is just my own crappy opinion."

Lennon believes that Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke is one of several Scottish managers who are capable of rejuvenating the national team.

He said: "Absolutely. He's an outstanding candidate. The Kilmarnock fans won't thank me for that and the Aberdeen fans won't thank me for saying Derek McInnes is an outstanding candidate as well.

"There are two very good guys in the SFA building as well (Under-21 manager Scot Gemmill and performance director Malky Mackay) and there are other names out there.

"David Moyes, Alex Neil, Paul Lambert. Quality managers who hopefully could take the reins on."

Indeed, Lennon believes that becoming the man to take Scotland to the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1998 would be "a huge incentive for anyone" and believes quality players are there for the next manager who will take over in time for the 2020 European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus and Belgium in June, with Russia also in the group.

He said: "In the modern game the respect for the managerial position, club or country, is diminishing and that saddens me but it is still a prestigious job in my view and one that a lot of people would love.

"Okay, the Kazakhstan game was a really bad day, but they beat San Marino, whether people think it is unconvincing or not, they won the game.

"They are capable of beating Cyprus, of course, capable of getting points off Russia and that sets the whole thing up again.

"I just think there is just too much knee-jerk reaction to one performance and one result.

"Andy Robertson is one of the best full-backs in Europe – Scottish.

"Ryan Fraser is ripping it up in the Premier League – Scottish, and there are a plethora of talented players playing in England as there are up here."


Click here for more stories about Neil Lennon

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Share this article now:
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes pictured on December 2, 2018
Read Next:
McInnes hints at ambition to manage Scotland
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool35277179205988
2Manchester CityMan City34282487226586
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs342211164352967
4Chelsea35207859382167
5Arsenal34206868432566
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34197863481564
7Everton35147145044649
8Watford34147134949049
9Leicester CityLeicester35146154847148
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34139124142-148
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham35127164454-1043
12Crystal Palace35126174348-542
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle35118163544-941
14Bournemouth35125184962-1341
15Burnley35117174462-1840
16Southampton3499164057-1736
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3497183253-2134
18Cardiff CityCardiff3594223065-3531
RFulham3565243376-4323
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3535272069-4914

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account