NEIL LENNON admits he would love to manage in England … but his real dream scenario would be to take the Hoops with him.
The 42-year-old is well on course to make it three Scottish championships in a row in his first crack at management. He has already seriously boosted his fledgling CV by leading the Parkhead club to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Understandably, this has led to speculation Barclays Premier League clubs are looking at him, with Norwich strongly linked. But Lennon is honest enough to say he can't expect to pick and choose jobs in England's top flight.
He also accepts his stock - which hit an all-time high this time last year when his side reached the knock out rounds of the Champions League - is now probably lower because the Hoops failed to get out of the group stage this season.
However, Lennon will not deny managing down south one day remains on his career wish list.
The caveat he adds, though, is that being in charge of Celtic and sending them out to face the likes of Manchester United, Manchster City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool would be his preferred job description.
He said: "My ideal scenario would be if Celtic were to move to England, and to be in charge of that. That would be perfect."
For all it would tick every box in his dream world, Lennon remains rooted in reality and said: "Do I think it will happen? I hope.
"That's not being disrespectful to the Scottish game, I'd just like to see it happen."
Jose Mourinho has made it clear he believes Celtic's involvement in England's top flight would add another dimension to what is
considered the best league in the world.
"Our reputation has been enhanced in the past couple of years, and people are talking about the football club in a good light again on the European scene.
"That augurs well."
As ever, whenever the subject of Celtic moving over the border is raised, Rangers - for all their
financial problems - are bracketed along with them.
When asked if it would matter to him if the Ibrox club joined the Hoops in moving south, Lennon answered: "Not at all - I'm not that selfish."
The fact is, however, that there is much more chance of Lennon being given the invitation to take his talents to England than either Celtic or Rangers.
He said: "It would take a lot for me to leave the job here. But, we all have ambitions to go on. How many titles can you win? Is it, six, seven, eight, nine, 10? The big carrot is the Champions League.
"But there are other challenges and ambitions out there which eventually you want to fulfil."
Meanwhile, Celtic's Premiership trip to Kilmarnock on Saturday, March 15 has been moved back a day to Friday with a 7.45pm kick-off, live on BT Sport.
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