Neil Lennon insists Celtic will provide a strong challenge to Rangers next season – so long as Ange Postecoglou is backed in the transfer market.
Celtic appointed the Greek-born Australian earlier this month having spent more than three months trying to entice Eddie Howe to Glasgow.
This came after a long search for a successor for Lennon, who left the Parkhead club for the second time after resigning in February.
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers finished 25 points ahead of Celtic in 2020/21 to deny the Hoops a tenth successive title, but Lennon believes the fight for top spot will be a lot closer than people think if Celtic get their recruitment right.
“I think it’ll be close this season,” Lennon told the White and Jordan show on Tuesday. “First of all they need to sort out who wants to stay and who wants to go. There’s four or five there who are angling to move on.
“They’ve got to get the recruitment process sorted out. Once they get the quality of player that can be expected to challenge I think they’ll be alright.
“I don’t think it’s as bad as people are making out.
“He’s got a blank canvas. The dream of the 10 is gone, if you want to put it that way. So, it’s a new regime, new start. Hopefully he can get his own ideas and philosophy down quickly.
“I know of him. He did a fine job with Yokohama, I know he was on the club’s radar, amongst many other candidates for the job as well. I think they were down the line with Eddie Howe, that didn’t materialise. Ange has got his opportunity and I’m sure he’ll make the most of it.
“I don’t think anybody [understands the job] until you go in and stand on those shoes, but I wouldn’t swap my time at Celtic for anything. And I’m sure he’ll be the same.”
He added: “He’ll want to get his own players in. Celtic need to get a head of recruitment or Director of Football in to help Ange out with players. Recruitment’s going to be important for him.
“But I don’t think it’s as bad as everyone’s making it out to be. There’s still a good core of players there. There were a few who wanted to leave, whether he can get them back onside for this season.”
Postecoglou will finally meet his new squad this week after completing his stint in quarantine.
The former Yokohama F Marinos coach has been self-isolating in London since touching down in the UK last week.
Now he is preparing to travel north to take his first up-close look at the team he has inherited from Lennon.