| Welcome to LiquidFootball. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Neil Lennon: ‘I want to be a Mourinho and win the Champions League with Celtic’; Celtic european champions? | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 20 2012, 05:18 PM (1,708 Views) | |
| Homer | Apr 20 2012, 05:18 PM Post #1 |
![]()
I am the King
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
![]() Lennon: I plan to conquer Europe and win the Champions League with Celtic Neil Lennon has set his sights on winning the Champions League as manager of Celtic. In a bold declaration of personal ambition, the Northern Irishman admitted he may never win European football's most coveted trophy. Pondering the future: Neil Lennon revealed he is targeting a Champions League triumph But, with Rangers crippled by their financial plight, he believes Celtic now have an opportunity to assert themselves as mainstays in the Champions League and pursue his managerial dream. And as he prepared for Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final with Hearts at Hampden, the 40-year-old said: 'My ambition is to win the Champions League. Here, anywhere, that is my ambition. I never reached those heights as a player and I may not reach those heights as a manager, but that's my ambition. 'Is it possible to win it here? Definitely. It might not be done in a year or two years' time. 'But, if we can consistently get in the Champions League and gain the revenue from that, then I think we can build a team that could challenge.' Citing other young managers who established themselves against all the odds, Lennon uses Jose Mourinho - who led Porto to two European trophies - as his inspiration. Lennon's fab four: (Clockwise) Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Martin O'Neill and Brian Clough 'I'm not a Mourinho, but I want to be,' he asserted. 'I want to be a (Pep) Guardiola, I want to be a (Brian) Clough, I want to be an (Martin) O'Neill. 'That's my ambition, there is no point in taking this job on if you are going to fail.' Refusing to acknowledge publicly that Rangers could be hampered for the next two or three years, Lennon insisted he is concentrating only on his team. 'Whether Rangers are going to struggle or not is theoretical,' he said. 'We have to go out and win the league year in, year out. I'm sure we will begin the championship next season as big favourites. 'With that comes pressure and we must be able to handle that. I can't look too far into the future in terms of what might be. 'But I always think if you are in a position to strengthen with the right money and the right player, within the budget of the club, then you should do that.' Lennon will hold meetings with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell in the coming weeks, to lay down plans for next season. |
| |
![]() |
|
| Scholes | Apr 20 2012, 05:20 PM Post #2 |
![]()
Nothing's as it seems
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Will never happen as long as they are in SPL. |
| |
![]() |
|
| Homer | Apr 23 2012, 03:41 AM Post #3 |
![]()
I am the King
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
|
| |
![]() |
|
| Homer | Aug 11 2012, 04:33 PM Post #4 |
![]()
I am the King
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/Actualidad_Primer_Equipo_en/1330112940049/noticia/Noticia/Exchange_of_shirts_between_Real_Madrid_and_Celtic_F.C.__from_Glasgow.htm ![]() ![]()
|
| |
![]() |
|
| Homer | Nov 8 2012, 04:18 AM Post #5 |
![]()
I am the King
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
ITS OFFICIAL: NEIL LENNON IS NOW A BIG TIME MANAGER! He obviously isn't anywhere near being a great manager yet but I really do sense that Lenny wants to make something of himself in management |
| |
![]() |
|
| AntMcfc | Nov 8 2012, 04:23 AM Post #6 |
|
POTY
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Lol great achievement to probably get out of the CL groups but it's not going to improve his credentials. |
![]() |
|
| Homer | Nov 10 2012, 04:22 AM Post #7 |
![]()
I am the King
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Neil Lennon insists he is in no hurry to leave Celtic despite seeing his stock rise after the midweek win over Barcelona. The Irishman's achievements reverberated around the football world after goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt earned the Hoops a stunning 2-1 win at Parkhead. Celtic now have seven points from four games and could secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with victory against Benfica. Lennon has already been mentioned as a future Premier League boss but he is adamant no other club in the world could offer him what he experienced on Wednesday. The victory followed just 24 hours after the club marked its 125th anniversary with a mass at St Mary's Church in the Calton district of Glasgow. "Would I get a better night than that anywhere else in football, I doubt it very much," he said. "It is what makes the club unique, there is something special about the club on a European night and it manifested itself in all its glory on Wednesday. "The church service was a very special occasion and made me think about the history of the club more, the founding fathers of the club, and what it means to so many people, not just here in Glasgow but all around the world. "There was a great ambience and I got an inkling that there could be something special in the air for Wednesday night and it was a very special couple of days. "But it will not be up to me, it will be up to the board whether they want me here or not. They know what this club means to me, it is a good fit for me. "I have a good relationship with Peter (Lawwell, chief executive) and Dermot (Desmond, majority shareholder) but that doesn't last forever. But we are going in the right direction." |
| |
![]() |
|
| Homer | Nov 20 2012, 04:58 AM Post #8 |
![]()
I am the King
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
CELTIC manager Neil Lennon has scornfully dismissed opposition taunts that he has adopted a negative approach to guide his team to the cusp of qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League. Lennon is potentially 90 minutes away from his finest achievement so far when the Scottish champions take on Benfica at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon tonight in their penultimate Group G fixture. Victory for Celtic would guarantee their place in the knockout phase, while a scoring draw would also be good enough if Spartak Moscow lose to Barcelona in the other match in the section earlier this evening. Despite their outstanding efforts so far in the tournament, which include a 3-2 win in Moscow and the momentous 2-1 home triumph against Barcelona two weeks ago, Celtic have been subjected to criticism for the strategy deployed by Lennon. In the build-up to tonight’s match, Benfica’s Brazilian goalkeeper Artur has branded Celtic as a defensive side who “do not play beautiful football”. While Lennon has no need to vindicate his tactics, with his team sitting three points ahead of Benfica in Group G, he delivered a stinging retort to Artur and insisted Celtic will lack nothing in boldness and ambition against their Portuguese rivals tonight. “You know what it’s like, if you tell a big enough mis-truth, then people will start believing it,” said Lennon. “Listen, I’m not sure the Benfica goalkeeper has even watched any of our games. He’s probably based his assumption on what he has heard, quotes from other people. “People have called us negative in this campaign, but with around 20 minutes to go against Barcelona two weeks ago, a defender (Mikael Lustig) came off the pitch and I put on a centre forward (Tony Watt). I’ll take that all day if that’s negative. “It worked for us that night. Some days it does, some days it doesn’t, but we were always trying to get something out the game, whether it was a win or a draw. It’ll be the same on Tuesday night here. “I don’t think my team is built to sit in and suck it up. Yes, we did it well against Barcelona, but that was because Barcelona make you do that. “Not many teams can get a grip of you like that and force you onto the back foot the way they do. That’s the point I’m trying to make. If we’re negative, why would I bring on a centre forward for a defender with 20 minutes to go? “In both games against Barcelona, I started with two strikers. So we haven’t played negatively at all. And we scored three goals in two games against Barca and three in Moscow. So we’ve done okay. “I’m not coming here for a draw, because I don’t think you can set up to play for that. We are going to go and try and win the game, like we always do. That doesn’t mean we are going to be gung-ho. We will try and play our way into the game by being as patient as we have in the previous games. “Listen, I go out to win every game. It doesn’t always work out that way, because sometimes you have to accept that the opposition are very good. Sometimes you can be made to look ordinary when you are being pinned back. “But that’s fine and it doesn’t mean you are negative. We will take the same sort of philosophy into this game and try to get the win. We’ll try to score, because that will be important and would put Benfica under massive pressure. We’ll see how they react to that.” |
| |
![]() |
|
| Homer | Nov 27 2012, 03:16 AM Post #9 |
![]()
I am the King
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Neil Lennon threatens to quit after home loss to Inverness Lennon said: "They are frustrated. I disagreed with them, I didn't like what they said about the team. Look, if they are not happy with what I am doing and they want me to go, I will. If the fans make it clear that they are not happy and they want me out then that's OK, I will do the honourable thing. "I can't repeat it [what fans said] because it is public arena but there were a lot of expletives and heavy criticism, which I didn't think was justified and [there was] a lack of patience with the team as well. "If there was a lack of application and commitment I would be the first to criticise the team. I didn't see that today but I did see a lack of composure and quality in the final third and that's what cost us. If I think it is justified then I don't have a problem with it but I don't think it was justified today. "But they pay their money, they are allowed to say what they like. I've got my opinions on it and sometimes I give them as well. I am not happy with the league form, it is my team at the end of the day so I take the responsibility for it. It's not for the lack of trying to find the answers." THE CELTIC FANS REALLY ARE THE LOWEST SCUMBAGS OF THEM ALL BEST SUPPORTERS IN THE WORLD MY ARSE |
| |
![]() |
|
| DaG | Nov 27 2012, 03:17 AM Post #10 |
![]()
Top Button Wanker
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I can't stand looking at him. Don't know what it is, maybe the gingerness. |
|
https://twitter.com/mediocentroEN | |
![]() |
|
| AntMcfc | Nov 27 2012, 03:18 AM Post #11 |
|
POTY
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Do you fancy Celtic's chances of progression Homes? Spartak at home will still be a tough test. |
![]() |
|
| Homer | Nov 27 2012, 03:20 AM Post #12 |
![]()
I am the King
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I am 100% convinced Celtic will beat Spartak but its more a case of Barca doing their job as well.......Barca B v Benfica |
| |
![]() |
|
| Homer | Feb 11 2013, 06:14 PM Post #13 |
![]()
I am the King
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Neil Lennon warned doubters not to underestimate Celtic ahead of the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Juventus at Parkhead on Tuesday night. To the surprise of many pundits and fans, the Hoops emerged ahead of Benfica and Spartak Moscow to finish second in Group G behind star-studded Barcelona - whom they famously beat 2-1 at Celtic Park last November - and earn their place in the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in five seasons. The Serie A champions, though, are strong favourites to progress through to the quarter-finals but manager Lennon, while recognising the quality of the visitors, said: "I think we have been (underestimated) throughout the whole campaign and going into this game we are being made out to be massive underdogs but I don't quite see it that way myself. "There is a real belief, anything can happen over two games. "We go into the tie as underdogs but nothing is going to be decided at the end of 90 minutes tomorrow night, it is over two games and we are prepared to play hard football over 180 minutes. "They have excellent strikers - Mirko Vucinic, Fabio Quagliarella, Sebastian Giovinco, and they have also brought in Nicolas Anelka. "But the one who has caught my eye is Alessandro Matri, he looks an excellent young player. "They are very strong in midfield. Arturo Vidal is playing very well currently, Paul Pogba and Claudio Marchisio, these are class players including Andrea Pirlo who is still one of the finest midfield players in the world. "So the team is blessed with fantastic footballers but we knew that before the tie or before any preparation were made. "But it would be dangerous to underestimate Celtic. "We have proved already this season that we can be a match for anyone." The former Hoops player, who described Juventus training at Rangers' Murray Park training complex this morning as "irrelevant", recognises the difference between the Italian giants and Barca. "They are two different cultures," he said. "Juventus are very strong defensively, very well-organised, very consistent in domestic football and they have been very impressive in their Champions League campaign. "We have done a lot of work on Juventus and I have seen them myself so we will have to change the way we played against Barcelona but that is only natural because Barcelona dominate possession like no other team." However, the Northern Irishman expects another momentous European night in the east end of Glasgow. When he was confirmed as Celtic boss in June 2010, after a spell as caretaker, Lennon said he wanted to "bring the thunder back to this stadium - I want to make it rock again." In a tweet earlier today, he said:"..think i can hear thunder in the distance" and he expanded upon that at the pre-match press conference. "This will be one of my best achievements, to bring these nights back to Celtic Park," he said. "It is the only show around, a European night at Celtic Park. "It will be a fantastic football arena, for me one of the best atmospheres in world football, never mind European football and it is for our supporters. "Obviously the players will play their part but to bring these nights back to the club is something that means a lot to me and anyone who has experienced a Champions League night here before will know what I am referring to. "Obviously we are up against a great team and great coach and it is very exciting for me to challenge myself against Antonio Conte. "I don't want to fill the players heads too much from a tactical point of view. "In terms of motivation, I don't think the players need any more from me. "For some of them, it is probably the biggest game of their young careers and we are hoping we can take the club further in the competition. "We've always known this has been looming on the horizon so it is almost here and I think we are ready." Lennon is sweating over the availability of two key players. Forward Georgios Samaras is battling to recover from a hamstring injury while stopper Efe Ambrose played for Nigeria in their 1-0 African Cup of Nations final win over Burkina Faso last night and will not be back in Glasgow until Tuesday morning. Left-back Emilio Izaguirre has recovered from a knee injury while winger James Forrest is fit again following a hamstring problem. The Hoops boss said: "It is as you were with Samaras, we will make a decision on him tomorrow. "Izaguirre trained today and has joined the squad and Forrest is fit and Ambrose, we expect to arrive tomorrow morning. "We will see what condition he is in and if he is okay, we will have him in the squad. "We will give Georgios as much time as he is needed. He has been doing pretty aggressive rehabilitation work and we are hopeful he will be okay. "If not, then I have a very strong squad and we will have him fit for the second leg." |
| |
![]() |
|
| AntMcfc | Feb 11 2013, 06:17 PM Post #14 |
|
POTY
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Can't wait for tomorrow's game. Long shot, but will Wanyama be available? |
![]() |
|
| Kyle | Feb 11 2013, 06:20 PM Post #15 |
![]()
die gelbe wand
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Celtic winning the champions league would be more of an underdog story than the mighty ducks movie.
Edited by Kyle, Feb 11 2013, 06:26 PM.
|
| |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · General Football · Next Topic » |





![]](http://z4.ifrm.com/000/1/90/f39/f39.png)










12:54 AM Jul 11