DEREK McInnes, the Aberdeen manager, last night insisted Neil Lennon was on a “hiding to nothing” having replaced Brendan Rodgers and insisted his William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final opponent shouldn’t have to win a Treble to be made permanent boss at Parkhead.
If Lennon loses Sunday’s match, many believe that would mean he won’t be given the job full-time he is doing on a interim basis once this season ends.
Bookmakers yesterday made Roberto Martinez, the Belgium national team head coach, their odds-on favourite to become Celtic’s next manager. The odds on the Spaniard, who played for Motherwell and has a Scottish wife, were slashed to 4-6 from 4-1 yesterday morning after a flood of bets came in.
READ MORE: Don't bet against Aberdeen beating Celtic on Sunday...
McInnes and Lennon get on and the Aberdeen manager feels for the 47-year-old who was put in a unique siltation when Brendan Rodgers left.
“Celtic have got players who can turn the game in an instant,” said McInnes.
“But in terms of the managers, both have been successful Celtic managers, Brendan and Neil.
“He’s actually on a hiding to nothing, because if he wins the league, and he’s already said it’s Brendan’s team and he’s been really gracious doing that, and if he wins the cup, people will say that.
“But if he loses the cup it’s Neil’s team and I think the only pressure on Neil will be from himself. I’m pretty sure that the people within Celtic are well aware of his abilities.
“People wouldn’t have looked any differently if Brendan Rodgers didn’t win the cup this season if he was still in charge. His job wouldn’t have been in jeopardy. For me, the fact that they’ve given Neil the opportunity in a difficult situation, regardless of how the season plays out for him in the cup, whether it’s us beating them or whether he loses a final, I’m sure the people inside Celtic know of his capabilities.
“You wouldn’t like to think that he has to win a cup to get the Celtic job. I would be very surprised if that’s the case. “
READ MORE: Callum McGregor: Neil Lennon can do an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - if he leads Celtic to the treble
McInnes has noticed small differences in Celtic since the end of February, when Northern Irishman Lennon took over, and did make the point that the champions-elect have yet to lose in 2019.
McInnes said: “This Celtic team has shown real consistency since the turn of the year. I think you can maybe see little differences, probably more in the personalities of both managers.
“Brendan’s team were far more controlled, and deliberate with their work, controlling games and more patient. Neil’s team are bit more ‘here I am’, right in your face and like to show you what they’ve got. I think that’s natural.
“Any team at times can mirror their manager and what they want. There’s no huge difference.
“It’s down to the players and they’re good players so Neil will recognise that’s he’s been fortunate to inherit a strong squad and whether it’s the end of the season or next season when he starts to put more of his stamp on the team. “
McInnes will lead Aberdeen to the club’s eighth semi-final since he took charge in 2013.
He won the League Cup in 2014 and fancies adding to that piece of silverware.
The 47-year-old said: “The intention when we enter the competition is to win it and now there’s only four teams left.
“It’s always the intention at our club to try and at least win one trophy every season.
“We’ve hit the post a few times and we’ve put ourselves forward enough times and now we’ve got an opportunity to try and get the club into another final.
“I always feel in these types of games that it’s important to let the opposition know you’re in their face. An Aberdeen team should always have that confidence to go and play.
“There’s been some tough challenges to get to where we are, there’s another tough challenge ahead of us, but it’s a game that we’re certainly looking forward to.”
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