If Neil Lennon has any what-might-have-beens, it doesn’t tell in a voice that rings with enthusiasm.

The current incumbent of the managerial seat in the Easter Road dug-out has overseen back-to-back results in the Championship these past two weekends that could well prove to be pivotal in getting Hibs back into the top flight.

Yet, whatever Lennon may go on to do in football, the significant chapters of his career, on and off the park, remains firmly weaved into the tapestry of Celtic and the modern era of the Parkhead club.

The 2-1 win over Barcelona in 2012, a result that proved crucial in taking Celtic into the last 16 of Europe’s premier tournament, remains the peak point of his managerial career and the former Hoops captain was in the running for a second stint at the role, only to be pipped by Brendan Rodgers.

And Lennon insists that he has been as enthused by any Celtic fan these past few months as he has watched the club re-energised under the tutelage of his fellow countryman.

“Brendan has done an incredible job in a really short space of time, the turnaround is incredible and I am really enjoying watching them play,” said the 45-year-old.

“Brendan has gone in there and it has been absolutely seamless. He has brought a confidence and an energy to them and they have been fantastic to watch. I speak to him every now and again but we haven’t spoken recently – I don’t think he needs my advice right now.”

Lennon was one of the first port of calls for Rodgers in his opening weeks in Glasgow, with the previous Hoops player ideally positioned to dispense advice on life in the goldfish bowl.

Still living in the West End of Glasgow as he commutes to Edinburgh, Lennon endured a torrid time at Celtic as both player and manager, with a precarious situation at one stage requiring 24-hour security.

Bullets in the post and death threats became as talked about as his team and little wonder then that Lennon had a few pointers for Rodgers.

“We went out for a bit of dinner when he first arrived in Glasgow and I told him what to watch out for and maybe one or two places that are best avoided,” said Lennon. “But he has been tops since he came in. He is a good guy and a good manager and I wish him every success.

“I have really enjoyed seeing the way he has got Celtic playing and there is a real enthusiasm about them.”

As a player Lennon won five league titles with Celtic, four Scottish Cups and two League Cups. As a manager he delivered three titles and two Scottish Cups but his greatest accomplishment was leading the club into the knock-out stages of the Champions League.

Having watched the way Celtic went about their business this season in the tournament under Rodgers, Lennon believes that there is a genuine chance that under Rodgers they have the ability to progress again further than the group stages, if they can carry a little bit of luck.

“If this current Celtic team keep progressing the way they are then they have it in them to do that as well,” said Lennon, in reference to qualifying to the last 16.

“Getting into the last 16 is a real achievement given the difference in budgets at that level,” he said. “But there is no question that you need a wee bit of luck. When you look at the group Celtic were in this season, it was always going to be really, really difficult to get out of it.

“Even when you get the luck of the draw there is always going to be at least one really top team in there but I honestly believe that the way this Celtic team is progressing that they can challenge for second and third consistently if they keep doing what they are doing just now.”

There is little kudos gained from winning a league that Celtic are expected to claim, but this season the manner in which they look set to do it ought to invite plaudits. A domestic treble looks entirely plausible, something Lennon himself was part of when the club last celebrated a clean sweep, but the Hibs boss is well aware that Rodgers will be keen to maintain the form that Celtic showed in the Champions League.

The opening game aside when Celtic were swept aside by a rampant Barcelona side, the Parkhead side showed some promise in the arena with commendable displays against Manchester City and in Germany against Borussia Monchengladbach.

“Everyone expects you to go and win the league,” acknowledged Lennon. “There isn’t too much credit handed out for ever doing that now but the European arena is an entirely different ball game. That is where you really get the measure of the team and see how they are comparing to some of the best in Europe.”