Friday night's scoreline at Wembley was of little significance for Neil Lennon as he watched Fraser Forster take his place between the posts for England.
The Celtic goalkeeper's first appearance for his country was a monumental moment for the 25-year-old, but also for his club manager.
Lennon had signed Forster after he was allowed to leave Newcastle United - having brought him to Glasgow on loan initially - and Alan Pardew was particularly scathing about Forster's decision to head north of the border. The goalkeeper's development at Celtic has allowed him to knock on the door for England, though, and Lennon is delighted to see his player vindicated.
"One of the best things I have been involved in as a manager is to get a player who was third-choice goalkeeper at Newcastle playing for England," said Lennon, who would dismiss the fact his goalkeeper conceded twice in a friendly with Chile. "Fraser has worked tirelessly on his game, especially his agility and his kicking. But one of the things I have always liked about him is his presence, when he makes saves his big arms bat the ball away.
"His performances in the Champions League are one of the main reasons we have been so successful over the last few years and I'm delighted Roy Hodgson gave him the opportunity. But I don't want it to be a short-term thing for Fraser; I want him to be knocking on the door for the next two, three, four years."
Lennon also passed comment on the recent appointment of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane as the management team in charge of Republic of Ireland. O'Neill got his tenure off to a winning start on Friday night as the Irish defeated Latvia 3-0 - with former Celtic player Aiden McGeady among the scorers - and Lennon is delighted to see the former Parkhead manager back in football again after being sacked by Sunderland. He was a little surprised that Kena had joined him, though.
"I had 10 unbelievable years under Martin - who is a brilliant man manager who knows the game so well and brought stability and success to Leicester - and I think international management will suit him at this stage of his career," said Lennon. "Roy is an interesting one as I didn't see him [becoming O'Neill's assistant] but I think his presence in the dressing room and the fact he was one of the best players of his generation will lift players.
"I'm sure Roy will have an input in tactics and team selection, even though it's pretty clear that Martin is the manager. Martin is someone the players will love."
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