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Neil Lennon recalls first spell at Celtic on 10-year anniversary

Neil Lennon recalls first spell at Celtic on 10-year anniversary
© Reuters
Neil Lennon is in his second spell in charge of the Hoops.

Neil Lennon admits the decade since he first took charge of Celtic seems like a lifetime ago.

Lennon was handed the reins on a caretaker basis on March 25, 2010 – the day after a 4-0 defeat by St Mirren had spelled the end of Tony Mowbray's brief stint in the Parkhead hot seat.

The 48-year-old won five trophies in his first spell as boss before leaving in the summer of 2014, and has won a clean sweep of domestic competitions since returning to the role just over a year ago.

Lennon told Celtic's official website: "It feels like a lifetime rather than 10 years because there's been so much crammed into it, and there have been so many great times over the 10 years.

"It was obviously off the back of Tony leaving, and I had to very quickly assemble a team together as well. It was myself and Johan Mjallby. He was in Stockholm at the time but he answered the call very, very quickly.

"We just had to get an improvement in the team, get some wins and boost the morale of the players and the supporters as well.

"It was so different from the second time taking over last year, where everything was so successful. It was the polar opposite, where we were struggling, we were inconsistent and the league had already, more or less, gone."

Scottish Cup hopes soon disappeared following a semi-final defeat by First Division Ross County.

"I was just very angry with the players," Lennon said. "They didn't show the right attitude on the day and it was only my third game in charge. We'd beaten Kilmarnock and then Hibs, and then it was the semi-final at Hampden against Ross County.

Lennon watched in disbelief when his side lost to Ross County
Lennon watched in disbelief when his side lost to Ross County (PA)

"There was a lack of application and attitude on the day, and I came out and said some really strong words, but I meant it, and it seemed to have the desired effect for the rest of the season."

Lennon was appointed on a long-term basis after winning the last six matches of the season.

"I've been lucky enough to work at a club like this where, although you're not guaranteed success, there's a good chance of success," he added.

"You're working with great coaches and players every day, and to get the job for a second period was amazing as well. So I'm just absolutely thrilled with the way things have gone."

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic330087285987
2RangersRangers320179275281
3Hearts311149371266
4Kilmarnock31114538755
5St Mirren31024247-546
6Dundee30034662-1641
Relegation Group
1Aberdeen33004149-844
2Motherwell32015554143
3Hibernian31024858-1042
4Ross County31023564-2933
5St Johnstone30032652-2631
RLivingston32012764-3724
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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