Why Neil Lennon is poised to become Celtic's most successful manager since Jock Stein

Irishman’s honours haul set to eclipse Billy McNeill

Celtic manager Neil Lennon with the League Cup in December that earned him an eighth trophy as manager.

Celtic’s impending title success will be momentous to Neil Lennon for more than allowing him to guide the club to a record-equalling ninth straight championship.

In delivering the 48-year-old a ninth major trophy at the helm of the Parkhead side, Lennon will become second – a far distant second, it should be noted – to Jock Stein for honours garnered as Celtic manager during the post-war period.

Lennon’s return to take the reins for a second spell almost 13 months ago, and his clean sweep of the three slices of domestic silverware contested since, has allowed him to move significantly up the pecking order for Celtic managers across the past 55 years.

Jock Stein is Celtic's most successful manager.

When Lennon took up the post vacated by Brendan Rodgers in February last year, he was ranked the sixth-best Celtic manager for trophies won in the wake of Stein amassing an incredible 25 honours – including the European Cup – across a 13-year period from 1965.

In Lennon’s first spell in charge, from 2010 to 2014, he claimed five trophies: three league titles, and two Scottish Cups. That total was shy of the eight honours claimed by Billy McNeill, the seven lifted in the eras of both Martin O’Neill and Brendan Rodgers, and the six accrued by Gordon Strachan.

Lennon’s success in banking the treble treble by reeling in the league and Scottish Cup across the closing months of last season, coupled with his adding of the League Cup in December – a first success in the competition as a manager – resulted in him moving alongside McNeill.

The Lisbon Lion legend also had two stints in charge and, intriguingly, both have the same haul of honours: four titles, three Scottish Cups and one League Cup.

With Celtic essentially champions-elect in holding a 13-point lead over Rangers in the Premiership, two landmark nines now await for Lennon.

And with them he will further deepen his imprint on a club where he has achieved iconic status for his outstanding service since 2000 as player, coach and manager.