If I was the Celtic manager...

[barca72 440]

I didn't think Burley had it in him to give this assessment ...

 

 

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/460538/Norwich-won-t-want-Neil-says-former-Hoops-star-Burley

 

Norwich won’t want Neil, says former Hoops star Burley

CRAIG BURLEY last night dismissed the prospect of Norwich City going for Neil Lennon if the Canaries part company with current boss Chris Hughton.

By: Graham ClarkPublished: Wed, February 19, 2014 1Comments Burley can't see Lennon going to Norwich [ROSCO]

 

The Celtic manager is rumoured to be the leading target for the struggling Premier League outfit if they press the panic button.

 

But ex-Celtic and Scotland star Burley, now working full-time covering England’s top-flight for ESPN in America, does not see them as the ideal match and doesn’t believe Norwich would want Lennon or, for that matter, that Lennon would want Norwich.

 

“Marriage made in heaven? Hell, more like,” insisted the former midfield man.

 

“I just don’t see it. In the first instance I can’t imagine Norwich looking to Scotland for a replacement for Hughton if they decide a change is necessary and even if they did I’m not at all sure Neil would believe it’s the right club for him.”

 

I just don’t think Neil is a good fit for Norwich City and vice versa

 

Craig Burley

Burley’s appraisal of the situation will surprise many who reckon the Carrow Road club could do with a forceful personality like Lennon as they desperately look to claw their way to Premier League safety.

 

The axe could fall on Hughton if Norwich lose at home to Tottenham on Sunday after chief executive David McNally – a former commercial director at Parkhead – hinted patience is running out.

 

McNally’s role meant an immediate link to Lennon with another former Celtic player in the form of Malky Mackay also reported to be in the frame.

 

However Burley added: “Neil would be better off staying at Celtic and waiting for something else.

 

“He has to be careful. If he jumps ship then he has to get it right and I think he would be better off maybe going to a club that is on the up and up in the Championship in the first instance.

 

“That way he can enhance his reputation by maybe making it into the Premier League and then take the next step to a bigger and better club maybe in the kind of second tier of the game there behind the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

 

“But if he goes to a struggling Norwich City he will inherit the same problems Hughton has had and, for that matter, that Paul Lambert who did a terrific job for them would have had as well.

 

“You really don’t want to be scrambling about near the bottom of the Premier League and maybe getting relegated.

 

“That wouldn’t sit well on anyone’s CV and it wouldn’t do his stock any favours at all.” But by the same token, Burley doesn’t think Norwich would be that attracted to Lennon anyway and went on: “It wouldn’t be a good move for him or them.

 

“The problem for Neil is that clubs in the south look up at Scotland and without exception think that Celtic should be winning the league because there’s no Rangers and no competition.

 

“I know Neil and Celtic can only beat what’s put in front of them but try telling people in England that.

 

“They just see a league that is effectively won before a ball is kicked in earnest and, unfortunately from Neil’s point of view, they also see that Celtic have been knocked out of two cup competitions – and at home at that.

 

“Directors and officials in England see that for themselves.

 

“Honestly, without Rangers providing some serious opposition there is a stigma about Celtic winning the Premiership. You can dress it up any way you like but it’s not that great.

 

“The Ibrox club not being involved isn’t doing Neil any favours.

 

“The Champions League last season did elevate Neil a bit but this season’s European campaign didn’t go nearly as well so that didn’t help him either.

 

“There will be doubts about him at English clubs just as there is a general reluctance to look beyond the border for players, never mind managers.

 

“I know one Premier League manager who doesn’t even scout Scotland anymore and although you could argue the wisdom of that it kind of illustrates the general perception of Scottish football with people down south.

 

“I just don’t think Neil is a good fit for Norwich City and vice versa.”

[Juancornetto 1]

 

“That way he can enhance his reputation by maybe making it into the Premier League and then take the next step to a bigger and better club maybe in the kind of second tier of the game there behind the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

 

 

If he "enhances" his reputation any more, he'll be considered unemployable in football. Failing to win three trophies this season when his team has the biggest sporting, financial and association backed advantage in history will go down as a huge failure once the rhanbid hordes stop and think about it.