Neil Lennon has publicly endorsed John McGlynn as a serious contender for the Celtic managerial position, praising the Falkirk boss as "one of the best coaches in the game here."
Speaking ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final where Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic face McGlynn's Falkirk, the former Celtic manager emphasized McGlynn's qualifications for the prestigious role.
"He's got longevity," Lennon stated. "I think he should be in the conversation for the next Celtic manager as well. Whether that would appeal to John I don't know and I don't want to throw him under the bus. I apologise to the Falkirk people as well, but that's how I rate John."
McGlynn, 64, has built an impressive managerial resume, most notably guiding Falkirk to a top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership after securing back-to-back promotions. His connection to Celtic runs deep, having served as a first-team scout and opposition analyst at the club from January 2015 to September 2018.
Lennon, who won four Scottish Cups as both a Celtic player and manager, expressed profound respect for his counterpart's career achievements.
"I've got such admiration and respect for what he's achieved, not just at Falkirk but throughout his career," Lennon added. "He's learned, he's worked hard and he's reaping the rewards of it. Fair play. He's a sponge and I know he's very thorough in his detailed approach."
The endorsement comes as Celtic navigate a season of managerial instability, with Martin O'Neill currently serving his second interim period until the season concludes. Meanwhile, both managers prepare for their first competitive meeting at Hampden Park, where Lennon's Dunfermline have already eliminated Premiership sides Hibernian and Aberdeen in this cup run.
Saturday's semi-final represents not just a pathway to the Scottish Cup final, but a showcase for McGlynn's managerial credentials on a national stage.