Neil Lennon promises to repay faith

NEIL Lennon has pledged himself to delivering a trophy-winning side Celtic supporters can be proud of after he put pen to paper on his new contract as manager of the club.

The news of Lennon's extended tenure in the role had been widely anticipated since the day of the Scottish Cup final last month when, even before Lennon secured his first piece of silverware in charge with the 3-0 defeat of Motherwell at Hampden, the club's major shareholder Dermot Desmond indicated a new deal would be offered.

Lennon, who will celebrate his 40th birthday on Saturday, formally confirmed the renewed agreement yesterday. He has signed a 12-month rolling contract which is understood to come with an annual salary in excess of 400,000. It is a significant improvement on Lennon's previous contract which had a six-month notice period and saw him earn around 200,000.

Despite Celtic's failure to win the SPL title last season, a target Lennon himself consistently stated as the priority aim which would define his success or otherwise as manager, the former club captain did enough to convince Desmond and his fellow directors of his credentials for the job on a longer term basis. In interim charge from the end of March 2010, following Tony Mowbray's dismissal, until his appointment on a permanent basis three months later, Lennon has guided Celtic to 42 victories from his 55 games in charge so far with just seven defeats.

The Ulsterman appreciates the need to improve on last season, both domestically and in European competition, but is encouraged by what he says is a shared vision with the club's board of how Celtic should strive for those goals.

"I am absolutely delighted to agree this new contract with the club," said Lennon. "I have had ten great years connected to Celtic and I hope to enjoy many more.

"Clearly this is down to me and I will be doing everything I possibly can to ensure we bring our fans more success. I have been speaking to (Chief Executive] Peter (Lawwell] over the past few weeks and we are both delighted to move forward together. We have sat down, looked at last season and now we look ahead.

"I know that Peter and the board's vision for the club is the same as mine. We are absolutely together on this. We want to bring success to the club and reward the commitment which our supporters continue to make.

"We want to provide our fans with entertaining, attacking and professional football but, ultimately, we aim to deliver silverware. Work begins now on striving to bring domestic trophies to Celtic Park and on having some success in Europe.

"We have already begun looking at the squad for next season. Whoever comes into the squad I know they will be joining some very talented players here who share my appetite for success. "The players have connected with our fans, they know what Celtic means to so many people and I know they will be looking to deliver success for them this coming season."

Last season saw Lennon forced to go about his work against the sinister backdrop of parcel bombs sent to him and high-profile Celtic supporters, internet death threats and an assault on him by a spectator during a match against Hearts at Tynecastle.

The Celtic fans rallied behind Lennon in unequivocal fashion during the closing weeks of the campaign and he was keen to stress his gratitude yesterday.

"I would like to record my thanks to our supporters," added Lennon. "The backing they gave to me and the team last season was absolutely tremendous. Clearly there was a lot involved in last season and their contribution was immense.

"I said when I was appointed manager that we wanted to re-ignite Celtic Park and make it the place it should be, one of Europe's finest, most atmospheric football arenas.

"There is no question this happened. There were numerous occasions last year when the fans' unique backing played such a crucial role and I know that we can build on this for next season.

"I know that myself, the board, my management team and all my players will be doing all we can to ensure that our fans have a team they can be proud of."Celtic's outgoing chairman John Reid, who will step down from his role at the club's annual general meeting in October, said the new contract is a reward for the manner in which Lennon dealt with his off the field difficulties last season.

"We are very pleased to be able to announce this new contract for Neil," Reid told celticfc.net. "Neil has proven himself as a football manager with great talent and someone who we are delighted to have in charge.

"For more than a decade, Neil Lennon has shown tremendous commitment and dedication to Celtic. Last season was a particularly difficult one for Neil, but he came through this period with tremendous credit.

"This is testament to his real strength of character and fortitude, qualities which I know he will use again as he aims to build on this season and bring the club even more success." Chief executive Lawwell, meanwhile, stressed that Lennon will be given financial backing to strengthen his squad.

"We have had very positive discussions with Neil in recent weeks," said Lawwell.

"We all know the direction we are going in, we are already planning for next season and our supporters can rest assured that Neil will receive every support from the board as we aim to build on last season. We look ahead to the future with confidence."