Rumour Mill: Neil Lennon | Rangers

Neil Lennon, who stepped down as Celtic manager yesterday. Picture: SNS

Lennon: I quit for loved ones

NEIL Lennon revealed last night that he quit Celtic for the sake of his family.

The former Celtic star said the welfare of wife Irene and son Gallagher were behind his decision to bring his time at Celtic to an end.

“I owe it to my family - you have to look at your home life.

“You take everything into consideration, and what’s best for your family too. I’m not going to lie, life in Glasgow is tough sometimes as Celtic manager.”

The Northern Irishman added: “I’m obviously going to take a holiday now and have a think about things. Then I’ll see what my next step’s going to be.” (The Sun)

Lennon to help pick new coach, but Henrik cools rumours

CELTIC have a task on their hands replacing Neil Lennon, but the 42-year-old confirmed he would play a role in choosing his successor.

“I will assist the club in appointing my successor. As ever, we need our fans’ support and I’m sure they’ll give the club and the new manager the same great backing they gave me.”

Celtic legend Henrik Larsson has emerged as the favourite, but the Swede said: “I’m flattered to be mentioned and regarded highly. It’s natural since I’m now a coach and given my history at Celtic.

“But I’m at Falkenbergs and enjoying it. This is where my focus is.”

Other managers linked with the vacant post include Jackie McNamara, Malky Mackay, Paolo Di Canio, Paul Lambert and David Moyes. (Various)

Where next for Lennon?

EX-Celtic and Republic of Ireland No 1 Packie Bonner said last night that he believes Neil Lennon already knows his next club.

Lennon is due to take a holiday after stepping down from Celtic, but Bonner reckons Lenny already has his next move marked out.

“I am sure he has something lined up,” said Bonner. “When you are winning things in Champions League you are hot property. I would be shocked if he left without having a club.”

Clubs currently looking for a manager include Tottenham, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich, where Lennon has emerged as one of the favourites.

And if Mauricio Pochettino is lured away from Southampton and Paul Lambert’s position at Aston Villa comes under threat, Lennon could emerge as a front-runner for those jobs as well. (The Scotsman)

Fan calls in police over Rangers

A DISGRUNTLED fan has contacted police for a second time after Rangers refused to disclose details of Imran Ahmad and Charles Green’s contracts.

The Ibrox board were forced into a U-turn last month after they failed to show Billy Paterson details of current directors’ contracts, but the angry fan reported the club to the police under Section 229 of the Companies Act 2006.

Rangers admitted they had made an error, and disclosed details including the information that chief executive Graham Wallace was on a salary of £315,000 with a 100 per cent bonus.

Paterson has now waded in to another legal battle after the club rejected his request for information regarding the contracts of Ahmad and Green, insisting that they only need to show service contracts for the previous 12 months.

However, Paterson is fighting the decision, and claims Ahmad and Green were seen as directors of the parent company and subsidiary football board until the end of May 2013.

Police have confirmed they are investigating Paterson’s claims, while another fan reported Wallace for allegedly misleading shareholders over the company’s finances. (Daily Record)

We’ll look after Jase, vows Hibs stopper

MICHAEL Nelson has vowed to keep Jason Cummings’ feet on the ground and not let him fail to reach his potential.

The 18-year-old scored a double as Hibs overcame Hamilton 2-0 in their bid to avoid relegation, and Nelson revealed: “He was put down straight after the game and I told him to keep his feet on the ground and concentrate on Sunday. He does get kept in his place.”

Cummings, who hit a hatful of goals for the Under-20s, had never scored for the first team prior to Wednesday night, and described his goal as ‘a decent zing - I opened up a tin of beans.’

And Nelson believes the young striker’s rawness will serve him well, adding: “Hopefully that will stick with him and is a quality he will keep for years to come.” (The Scotsman)

News in brief

• St Mirren have knocked back a ‘derisory’ bid for John McGinn

• Steven Anderson has signed a new deal with St Johnstone

• Former Celtic youngster Islam Feruz has turned his back on Scotland

• Stevie Crawford has been appointed as Robbie Neilson’s assistant at Hearts

Rumour Mill: Neil Lennon | Rangers | Hibs