Ambitious Lennon extends St Mirren contract

The 41-year-old joined the Buddies from Cowdenbeath in June 2010, led them to 11th place in the SPL last term and is now committed to the club until June 2014. St Mirren have received plaudits for their positive style of play under Lennon, who has high ambitions for his side, currently fifth in the table.

He said: “I certainly believe there are signs of our ambition and the vision to take the club in the right direction.

“We’re already seeing fruits of our work and where we’re sitting is in the direction we want to be.

“While SPL survival is fantastic on its own and a wonderful achievement, for this club to progress it can’t be a sole ambition. We’ve got to have aims, we’ve got to have ambition – which we have. We’re sitting fifth and, although that might be a pressure I’m putting on myself, it doesn’t have to be a pressure. We want to make every fan out there excited and proud of their football club. That’s at the forefront of our minds at all times.

“Football, for me, is meant to be entertaining and we want to honour that and all that’s good about the beautiful game, through everything that we do.”

The ex- midfielder was linked with a return to Hibernian – seeking a new manager following the departure of Colin Calderwood – but dismissed the reports as speculation.

Lennon, who paid tribute to his players and support staff, added: “I heard the speculation and although that was very flattering I was never far away from finishing the job that I came here to do and I’m ever so grateful that I have that opportunity.”