Neil Lennon to Aberdeen? Celtic Legend Could Be Heading Back to the Premiership

Well, that is one managerial appointment I certainly didn’t have on my November bingo card.

Neil Lennon has emerged as a contender for the vacant Aberdeen job following Stephen Robinson’s departure from Pittodrie, with the former Celtic manager reportedly among the bookmakers’ favourites to take over.

Aberdeen have wasted little time finding themselves back in the managerial market after Saturday’s embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Hibs proved the final straw for Robinson.

And now Lennon’s name is back in the conversation.

Neil is currently managing Dunfermline, where he has continued to rebuild his managerial reputation after taking charge last year. He guided the Pars to the Scottish Cup final last season and has them competing towards the top end of the Championship.

According to the early betting odds, Lennon is among the leading candidates, sitting behind Tony Docherty and Peter Leven.

It would certainly be an interesting move.

Lennon knows Scottish football better than most. He’s managed Celtic and Hibernian, won multiple trophies and understands the pressure that comes with managing one of the country’s biggest clubs.

However, Aberdeen are not exactly an attractive proposition at the moment.

This is a club that has gone through manager after manager since Derek McInnes left. Jimmy Thelin arrived with plenty of expectation, Robinson followed him, and now the Dons are searching for yet another person to turn things around.

For Lennon, there is an opportunity to return to the Premiership and take on a club with ambitions of challenging Celtic and Hearts for a place at the top end of Scottish football.

But there is also a massive risk. Aberdeen are struggling, confidence is low and supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated with the direction of the club.

Lennon has never been someone who shies away from a challenge, although this would arguably be one of the more difficult jobs in Scottish football right now.

From a Celtic perspective, it would be strange seeing him back in the dugout against us, particularly given everything he achieved as a player and manager at Parkhead.

He remains a divisive figure among sections of our support, but nobody can take away the trophies he won or the commitment he showed to Celtic.

Whether Aberdeen supporters would welcome him is another question entirely.

For now, this is speculation rather than a confirmed approach or appointment. Lennon is still Dunfermline manager, and the Dons have a number of other candidates to consider.

But if Aberdeen do come calling, it will be interesting to see whether Lennon fancies another crack at the Scottish Premiership.