SCOTT Brown has pledged to repay Neil Lennon for making sure Celtic’s season didn’t unravel following the departure of Brendan Rodgers – by completing the treble treble and helping him land the manager’s job full-time.
Brown and his Parkhead team mates can become the first to win all three domestic trophies three years running if they defeat Hearts in the William Hill Scottish Cup final in front of a sell-out crowd at Hampden this afternoon.
The midfielder, who will take his place in the defending champions’ starting line-up despite being troubled by a toe injury in the build up to the game, believes Lennon will deserve great credit if they pull off the unprecedented achievement.
The Northern Irishman, who took over from Rodgers on an interim basis in February, is hoping to be kept on permanently.
But many Celtic supporters would like to see another manager brought in to oversee their bid for Nine-In-A-Row next term.
However, the Glasgow club’s captain feels the 47-year-old has done superbly in difficult circumstances and would like to see him rewarded for his efforts in the past three months.
“Lenny was the one who answered the call,” he said. “He will always answer Celtic’s call. For somebody to do that was fantastic.
“He did it in the past when he brought us back to winning ways. He knows what it’s like to win trophies and he started us on the way to eight in a row. Here’s hoping he will be here after we pick this one up too.
“Lenny has done a fantastic job because it was always going to be to win trophies. Neil has done that as a manager and a player.
"He knows how to get the best out of the players, and how to spot a player. Whether he gets the job or not, he's been fantastic. He deserves thanks for what he has done this season.”
Brown added: "Not many people would have come in after Brendan, who had won seven trophies in a row. I don't think a lot would have said 'yes' right away.
"Lenny took us over the line for eight and now we are in another final. Someone else could have come in and it not worked out as well. But Lenny was brave and answered that call.
"We owe him a lot. We could have ended up with someone we don't really know, who would have wanted to change everything. He has tried to stick to Brendan's way as much as possible. It's been great.”
There had been doubts over whether the 33-year-old, who will pick up the 20th winners’ medal of his career if Celtic, as is widely expected, overcome Hearts, would be able to play in the final due to his injured toe.
But he said: "My toe is fine. It's not broken. It's a just a toe, eh? I had a day off on Wednesday to chill but was back in training today. Having had the luxury on winning the league and getting time off means I was able to recover. I am now looking to forward to a huge cup final. I will be fine.
"Everything seems to be okay. I've had some nice chilled days but the lads weren't doing too much. Just some shape and bits and bobs. I will be fine for the final.”
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