HAVING guided Celtic to their ninth consecutive league title, Neil Lennon has been named Manager of the Year by the Scottish Football Writers’ Association.

The Irishman saw his team lift the League Cup, reach the semi-final of the Scottish Cup and deliver Celtic’s first ever victory on Italian soil. And the Hoops were confirmed as Scottish Champions for the ninth year in a row last month after the football season was curtailed due to the coronavirus crisis, with Celtic top of the Premiership, 13 points clear with only eight games remaining.

“I’m delighted to win the manager’s award, considering there was a lot of good competition around,” Neil Lennon said. “I’m very grateful, but it’s an indication of how well the team played and the support I got from my staff.

“It has been hugely satisfying, the quality of the team’s performance domestically and in Europe, and I have to speak about the players’ mentality, which has been absolutely top class.

“When I came in, it was a very pressured and intense period of my managerial career, but I took a lot from it.”

And now, having led Celtic to nine-in-a-row, the Hoops boss is relishing the season ahead and going for title number 10.

“Is this the biggest season of my life at Celtic? It’s certainly going to be one of the most exciting,” he said, “but I don’t think I’ll ever go through the pressure I had when I came into the club second time around.

“I’ve had a good 16 months back in the job so I’m feeling comfortable in my own skin again. We’ve a good structure and staff. I’m excited and I’m hopeful going into the new season, but in terms of the pressure, I’m looking to enjoy it more than I would have when I came during those first few months. That was unbelievable scrutiny and analysis.

“Now I’m excited about it, and the players and fans are too. What this club has done over the last decade, in terms of success, has been monumental, so more than ever, we’re going into the new campaign with real excitement and anticipation.”

The Celtic View is the Voice of the 9-in-a-row champions and we’re celebrating an incredible football success under Neil Lennon with a special 100-page issue, which will be out on June 22.

To pre-order your copy and make sure you don't miss out on this 9-in-a-row celebratory issue, CLICK HERE

Neil Lennon win football writers' Manager of the Year Award