Newly appointed Dunfermline boss Neil Lennon is preparing for a reunion with a familiar face this Saturday as his side faces Scott Brown’s Ayr United in a crucial Scottish Championship clash. Lennon and Brown share a long and successful history together, with the two having worked side-by-side at Celtic during two separate spells. Under Lennon’s guidance, Brown captained Celtic to multiple trophies, and the pair formed a strong bond both on and off the pitch.
A Strong Partnership at Celtic
Reflecting on their time together at Celtic, Lennon praised Brown’s leadership and influence in the dressing room. “He was an amazing player,” Lennon said: (PLZ Soccer). “I think he’s been underrated, undervalued at times, but in my two spells at Celtic, he was exceptional. He’d been the first name on the team sheet every week.” Lennon highlighted Brown’s versatility, noting that he could do everything from passing to battling in the midfield, and his leadership qualities were evident to all.
The pair’s successful relationship at Celtic has set the stage for an intriguing meeting at Somerset Park this weekend, with Lennon and Brown now managing rival teams in the Championship. However, Lennon was quick to downplay any personal rivalry, focusing on the task at hand rather than the reunion. “It’s not about me and him, as he’ll tell you. He’s doing a fantastic job. It’s a really tough opening game for me,” the Irishman added.
Dunfermline’s Struggle to Avoid Relegation Playoffs
Lennon has his work cut out for him at Dunfermline, who are currently sitting in ninth place in the Scottish Championship, in the relegation playoff spot. With only seven games remaining this season, Lennon faces an uphill task to avoid relegation, and his first test will come on Saturday with the trip to Somerset Park to face an Ayr side that is sitting in third place, just one point behind Livingston.
Despite the difficult position, Lennon remains focused on the challenge ahead, adding, “He’ll have his focus and I’ll have mine, but I’m looking forward to seeing him, obviously.”
Looking Ahead to Saturday’s Clash
As Dunfermline prepare for the huge game, Lennon will undoubtedly be looking for a strong performance to get his managerial reign off to a positive start. For Celtic fans, the prospect of seeing Lennon and Brown on opposite sides of the dugout is a fascinating storyline, with both men eager to guide their teams to an important win.
