Thursday 21 April 2016 13:57, UK
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has told Sky Sports News HQ he would be open to a return following the news that Ronny Deila will leave the club at the end of the season.
Norwegian Deila, who succeeded Lennon in June 2014, has decided to leave after his position came under increased scrutiny following Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers on penalties.
Lennon is among the bookmakers' favourites to replace Deila after enjoying plenty of success during his first spell in charge which began on a caretaker basis in March 2010.
The 44-year-old, who left Bolton by mutual consent last month, led Celtic to three league titles, two Scottish Cups and the last 16 of the Champions League with a win ratio of 70 per cent.
When asked if he would like to return, Lennon said: "That's the 54-million dollar question. I've never hid my affinity for the club so would I like to go back if the opportunity arose and I had the opportunity to speak to the board? Then absolutely."
Lennon had some sympathy for Deila, but accepts being manager of Celtic will always have its ups and downs.
"It's been a rollercoaster for him," said Lennon. "I'm sure he will have enjoyed the fantastic experience of managing one of the greatest clubs around and I'm sure the club will wish him well, but I always imagined they would let Ronny see the season through because Celtic don't make knee-jerk reactions.
"He's had fantastic highs and a few lows along the way, but that's the nature of being Celtic manager.
"There's not many better jobs around. Maybe in another part of the club's history he might have had a better chance of fulfilling his ambitions or expectations, but in terms of sympathy I have sympathy for him in the fact he is losing a fantastic job, but not for him going in there and taking the job on."
Lennon was speaking at the John Hartson Foundation Golf Day at Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort in Bishopton near Glasgow, an event being held to raise funds for testicular cancer.
Hartson played alongside Lennon at Celtic and he believes his former team-mate is the right man for the job once again.
He said: "Neil is a very close friend of mine, he was sat next to me for five years in the Celtic dressing room as a player and he was my captain, so of course I'm going to say I would love to see Neil back at Celtic.
"But there's plenty of other candidates, there's managers out there that would love the job. It's a great job, it's a fantastic job, [but] you've got to be able to deal with the demands.
"You need to win predominately and you need to win trophies. There will be a big challenge next season with Rangers back in the top flight and there may be Hibs. You've got Hearts, you've got Aberdeen who have been stronger this season.
"But Neil has been there before, he's somebody that thrives on pressure. He had a difficult period when he was there in terms of his personal life, but he's obviously prepared to deal with that.
"He's a strong man, strong personality, so he is one of many, I'm sure, the Celtic board will consider."
