Neil Lennon (2010-2014)
Neil Lennon’s first stint as Celtic boss was initially in the caretaker role to oversee the team after Tony Mowbray’s ill fated spell. His remit was to see the team through to the end of the season whilst the Celtic board searched for a long term replacement. Lennon appointed Johan Mjallby as his assistant.
Lennon took the team through the final eight league matches unbeaten which included a 2-1 against their Glasgow rivals but unfortunately, the Hoops were unceremoniously dumped out the Scottish Cup at the semi final stage 2-0 by lowly Ross County.
The league form convinced the Celtic board to appoint Lennon as the permanent manager. Little did he, or the Celtic board, know that his appointment was starting a chain of events that would lead to the beginning of the quest to nine in a row.
Lennon spent four years in his first stint at Paradise winning three League titles and two Scottish Cups but he also oversaw the demise of his great rivals not only on the pitch, but off it.
Lennon’s signings were of a mixed bag. He secured the likes of Virgil Van Djik, Leigh Griffiths, Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster, Tom Rogic, and Scott Brown. Lennon also gave first team debut’s to Callum McGregor and James Forrest. He did however sign the likes of Mo Bangura, Kelvin Wilson and Daryl Murphy.
Without doubt, Lennon’s greatest European achievement was taking Celtic to the Champions League Group stages on the clubs 125th birthday where he defeated Barcelona 2-1 in that famous night at Celtic Park. Celtic qualified out of the group to the last 16 of the tournament only to be eliminated by Juventus.
Lennon’s low point was the 1-0 home defeat to Greenock Morton in the League Cup. Lennon eventually left Celtic in 2014 after four years in charge.