Lennon admits Wycombe temptation

• turbo_drift

  9 Jun 07, 10:46

  Former Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon has revealed he almost signed for Wycombe Wanderers this week.
  
  The 35-year-old left Celtic after seven successful seasons and agreed to meet Wycombe officials as he ponders offers from several clubs.
  
  Lennon, a former team-mate of Wycombe boss Paul Lambert, said: "Their offer put me in a real dilemma.
  
  "I was impressed by what they had to say and almost joined them, but it took a lot of soul-searching to say 'no'."
  
  Wycombe managing director Steve Hayes said: "I know how highly Paul rates Neil, both as a player and as a man, so I thought 'why not?' Let's see if he's interested.
  
  "We did everything we possibly could to sign him, but the fact we're a League Two club went against us.
  
  "Regrettably, that's the one thing we can't change overnight but it makes us more determined than ever to win promotion next season."
  
  Lennon's agent Martin Reilly added: "Neil's been offered a contract by a top Premiership club and several from the Championship and other divisions.
  
  "Steve Hayes put up a very convincing case and at one point I thought Neil was going to say 'yes', but Neil is still a very talented player and wants to test himself at the highest level he can."
• CKeer

  9 Jun 07, 11:59

  Now why would he continue playing at Football League Two when he can bow out on a high with Celtic?
  
  Cheers.
  CK
• givemeluck

  9 Jun 07, 12:41

  cos there is no challenge playing in celtic
• turbo_drift

  13 Jun 07, 11:01

  Forest win race to capture Lennon
  
  
  
  Nottingham Forest have beaten a host of clubs to the signing of former Celtic captain Neil Lennon on a free transfer.
  
  The 35-year-old, who left the Bhoys last month after six-and-a-half years in Glasgow, becomes Forest boss Colin Calderwood's first signing this summer.
  
  The midfielder has signed a one-year contract with an option of a further year, but will not be joining in a coaching capacity as first thought.
  
  "He will be a wonderful signing for us," Calderwood told the club website.
  
  "I don't think we'll be looking for him to play for the next five or six years but what we will be hoping is that he has an influence on those players who will still be in the game beyond when he has retired.
  
  "I fully expect him to play the majority of our games - as he did for Celtic over the last two or three seasons.
  
  "He has been in a winning environment and he is coming here with no desire to ease off. In fact, he told me that I might have to calm him down on occasions.
  
  "I think he will be a refreshing, elder professional at the club and will complement the rest of the group. Signing Neil is a strong indication of the type of player we have been after."
  
  Lennon added: "Basically I'm here because of Colin Calderwood. I was really impressed with him.
  
  "I've asked high-profile people in the game, whose judgement I respect, what they think of him and they had nothing but good things to say about him.
  
  "I know the club from my playing days in England and know the history and tradition of the place. It's a very good club, there's great potential here and I've very excited."
  
  Lennon enjoyed a colourful career in Scotland since Martin O'Neill signed him from Leicester City in December 2000 for £5.75m.
  
  During his time at the club, the Northern Irishman, who was linked with former club Leicester and Premiership new-boys Sunderland among others, won five Scottish Premier League titles, four Scottish Cups and two CIS Cups.
  
  Forest narrowly missed out on promotion to the Championship last season, losing to Yeovil 5-4 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final.