Lennon gets thumbs-up from Rogne

THOMAS ROGNE insists new Celtic boss Neil Lennon is the right man for the job – and backed him to inspire the Hoops to title success next season.

Lennon impressed as caretaker manager when he took over the helm following Tony Mowbray's departure in March and was handed the role permanently last week.

Celtic won eight out of eight in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League under the former skipper's charge, with an Active Nation Scottish Cup exit to Ross County the only black mark against his CV.

Rogne believes the response Lennon received from the players in the latter stage of the campaign suggests they are more than ready to wrest the championship from the clutches of rivals Rangers.

The defender said: "I'm very happy. I think he is a fantastic manager, he's a great person as well, and he is the right guy for the job.

"He brings out the best in you as a player and that's the most important thing.

"He is a great motivator and he knows Scottish football as well.

"All the players respect him. We showed at the end of last season that we have a great group of players.

"We won eight games in a row and that proves we have good players just now so we will see what happens."