CELTIC MANAGER NEIL LENNON has signed a new 12-month rolling contract with the club, according to reports, believed to be worth just under £1m a year.
Lennon’s salary is said to have been doubled, after the club’s board acknowledged that performances under the Northern Irishman had improved following Tony Mowbray’s unsuccessful tenure as manager.
Despite failing to secure the SPL title last year, Lennon has been granted an improved contract, while his assistants – Alan Thompson, Johan Mjallby and Garry Parker – have also signed new deals.
The incentive-based contract has been penned despite a series of incidents throughout the season, including death threats from rival fans, that led to speculation that the Armagh man would step down as result of the abuse.
Lennon believes the atmosphere that he has helped create since taking over at the club has been a crucial part of his being offered a new deal.
“I said when I was appointed manager that we wanted to reignite Celtic Park and make it the place it should be – one of Europe’s finest, most atmospheric football arenas.
“There is no question this happened. There were numerous occasions last year when the fans’ unique backing played such a crucial role and I know that we can build on this for next season.”
Lennon previously enjoyed a successful stint at Celtic as a player, making 214 appearances for the club and helping them to numerous Scottish league titles, in addition to a UEFA Cup runners-up medal.
Meanwhile, the Guardian reports that Celtic are interested in Shay Given, though it has also been speculated that the club will be unable to meet Man City’s high valuation of the Ireland ‘keeper.
