Lennon dampens hopes of great expectations for a successful sequel

Sunday 10 March 2013

FEAR of failure is the driving force which Neil Lennon hopes will shape Celtic's European ambitions for next season.

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By Phil Gordon

The Parkhead manager knows there is no guarantee of a return to the Champions League group stage, despite reaching the last 16 this season, and he is even worried about slipping up in the qualifying round.

Lennon also dismissed suggestions that he is ready to cash in on his rising personal stock and take a managerial job in England, stating: "I do not know where I could be in the future, I could be unemployed."He has already started making plans for next season's qualifying process in the Champions League, which will force the Scottish champions-in-waiting to undergo an extra third round in 2013-14. Yet he is adamant that this season's campaign – which earned the club around £30 million – does not improve chances of securing a passport back to the group stage, but merely increases public expectation to deliver the same again."I know supporters will think that, but it is not a given," said Lennon. "So we have done well and it has been a great year. The challenge is to replicate that, but I am not taking anything for granted. That is my main worry. The timing (of the qualifying rounds) is so difficult. Everyone says you are going to have an easier route because you are the champions well, none of those games are easy."There has been speculation Lennon might also move on from Celtic before next season, but the manager said: "I could be unemployed. Three months down the line, if we don't qualify for the Champions League, people are going to look at it and wonder what kind of season we're going to have so I don't look that far ahead. I've got a great job. Sometimes you pinch yourself, walking out in front of 60,000 people against the Italian champions, walking out at the Nou Camp as manager of Celtic. It does not get any better than that. "I have a job to do here and I am enjoying it. I think there is a shelf life for an Old Firm manager. I certainly don't take things lightly to think I can waltz away and take a job elsewhere. It does not work that way."Lennon believes Celtic can continue their progress in Europe, even if they lose Gary Hooper or Victor Wanyama to an offer from England this summer, by discovering new talent to fill their shoes."Of course a Scottish team can do it and you do not need to spend millions," he said. "We have proved that. What I said after the (Juventus) game was that it would be a travesty for the young ones not to take the experience on and progress in their careers. It is up to them now. What we have done as a backroom team is trusted our judgment and I think we have done well."

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Lennon dampens hopes of great expectations for a successful sequel

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