Peter Lawwell says new manager will be 'worth wait' for Celtic fans

Lawwell was speaking alongside interim manager Neil Lennon at a question and answer session hosted by the Celtic Trust at the club's stadium at which journalists were not welcome. Various internet accounts reported that the Celtic chief executive admitted the post-season process to replace Tony Mowbray had taken longer than expected but would completed within a matter of days. Lawwell described Lennon as a "very strong candidate" and while his "worth the wait" teaser might appear to point to the Irishman being overlooked, it was offered to a 500-strong audience overwhelmingly in favour of Lennon being giving the reins on a permanent basis. The Trust have long campaigned for that outcome and spontaneous rounds of applause followed shouts of "give him the job now" whenever Lennon's candidacy was being discussed by Lawwell, or the man himself. Lennon revealed that, should his bid for the post be successful, he will look to have an "old head" to "turn to". He could not, he said, have all the answers on his own and shouts that David Hay should be employed in this father-figure role also attracted favour of many in attendance. Before they heard from Lawwell and Lennon, this body were treated to Trust chair Jeanette Findlay asking all non-Celtic supporters to leave as the gathering was "not a media event" – comments, that like all other salient replies from the evening, were related on Twitter and a blog. The management issue apart, the themes raised and, by all accounts, soundly dealt with by Lawwell and Lennon, were well worn: spending policies, the failure to strengthen in January 2009, the loss of the past two titles and the appointment of Mowbray. Lawwell, as he had in a recent letter to season ticket holders accompanying their renewal forms, accepted his share of the responsibility for the "unacceptable" season just past. Mistakes made, Lawwell maintained, related to "judgments" rather than "policy" as he defended the Celtic board against charges of parsimony or downsizing by reiterating that every penny brought in is spent. He did, though, effectively admit that markets are contracting and Celtic are suffering as a result. Intriguingly, he said it was not the club's "preference" to enter into a joint-sponsorship deal with Rangers, Tennent's becoming the pair's latest shirt sponsors having caused much grief among Celtic supporters who detest the "Old Firm" tag and all its associations. But, according to one blog from the meeting, they had no choice, with no other offers forthcoming. "We went round the world and had to come back to Duke Street," Lawwell was quoted as saying, claiming that all clubs outside of England's top four in the UK had "challenges" with sponsorship. The old gripes about Celtic's treatment in the media were well-voiced, with Lawwell agreeing with members of the audience that the club did not receive a fair crack of the whip. He said the only means to answer that, however, was by winning the championship. Lennon contended that with one or two adjustments and the recruitment of some bigger characters who would not be "held to ransom" on the field, he felt that the target could not just be the title but a Fulham-style run in the Europa League. He said that current signing targets were being selected not simply on his recommendations but through the club's scouting network that would see players watched a number of times over a period. On players, Lennon said that he hoped there wouldn't be a need to sell Aiden McGeady and Scott Brown – whom he defended vociferously in the face of some withering criticism – and that he hoped a fit-again Shaun Maloney could also be central to the teams plans, with Paddy McCourt given a greater role. He described teenage Norwegian centre-back Thomas Rogne as an excellent prospect but also a player with a "sticky" injury record. Lennon appeared non-committal over whether he would remain at the club in the event of being passed over for the manager's post. He said he would consider his future if asked to stay in those circumstances, while Lawwell stated the club would do all in their power to keep him, even if the role on offer was not the one he covets.