Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has come out in support of former Celtic manager Neil Lennon and claimed he had become a bit of a punching bag for others’ when it came to the criticism he faced.
As quoted on the Aberdeen website, McInnes spoke highly of the Northern Irishman and his achievements, whilst coming out in support of him.
“I class Neil as a friend and a colleague, we work in the same industry and we have faced each other many times as a player and as a manager. He is someone that I have a very high regard for.
“It is very disappointing to see any manager lose their job. I know how important the Celtic job was to Neil. I am disappointed for him.
“He is a very successful Celtic manager. This season he has been a bit of a punchbag for others and he has had a lot of criticism that has come his way. When you see the points difference between Celtic and Rangers, it is more than just a manager who is at fault.
“Time will be kind to Neil, it might not be that now. There are a lot of people who have gotten themselves in a real state this season, the 10-in-a-row thing comes into that but Neil has been a very successful manager in both spells.
“In time, even people who have been heavily criticising Neil will see the merits in what he has achieved.
“Neil’s a good manager and he will go on and show someone else he is a good manager.”
The Aberdeen boss was always one to speak well of Lennon and the job he was doing, as close friends of each other. The two have been in the Scottish game for a very long time.
Whilst Aberdeen and Derek McInnes were a side that Lennon usually had the upper hand on, some may argue that the season demise, really began in a 3-3 draw between the sides at Pittodrie earlier in the season.
Aberdeen is also one of the last sides that Lennon faced in his second-last game, at Celtic Park which the Hoops eased out 1-0 victors.
John Kennedy’s first game in charge will be up against McInnes’ side who under pressure having just got back to winning ways for the first time in six games.
