And the Celtic boss is relishing the opportunity to go up against his old team-mate for Adam Drury's testimonial at Norwich tonight.

The SPL champions will take a strong side down to Carrow Road, where veteran defender Drury will be honoured for his 11 seasons of service with the Canaries.

Lambert, 42, has performed a minor miracle since taking charge at the Norfolk club in August, 2009, masterminding successive promotions up from npower League One and then comfortably securing top-flight status with a respectable 12th-place finish.

The ex-Borussia Dortmund and Celtic midfielder – who won four SPL titles during his time at Parkhead under Martin O'Neill – has inevitably been linked with a move to Aston Villa to replace Alex McLeish.

Lennon is not surprised. He said: "I am looking forward to seeing Paul. He has done an absolutely brilliant job.

"Paul was a great team-mate and a great player, who knows the game very, very well.

"He was always a leader, and the Norwich players have responded magnificently to what he has asked them to do, and they have just gone from strength to strength.

"Paul has already proved he has got what it takes and it does not surprise me there is a lot of speculation surrounding him – the more successful you are, the more the big clubs will want to take you."