NEIL LENNON wants the league’s governing body to help him, Steven Gerrard and Steve Clarke as they strive to improve the standing and reputation of Scottish football.

Lennon would like a sit-down with the SPFL to see if there is anything that can be done with the fixture schedule to aid the cause of both Celtic and Rangers in the Europa League, but mainly to help Scotland reach their first major tournament since 1998.

Lennon led his Celtic team to a stunning win over Lazio in Rome on Thursday night to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League, and Rangers look to be on course to join them there after a brilliant win of their own over Porto at Ibrox.

The national team meanwhile have the huge Euro 2020 play-off fixtures looming in March, and when asked if he would like a meeting between the managers and the league’s governing body to give all three sides the best chance of success, Lennon said: "Yes. Predominantly for the national team more than anything else.

“Steve should get what he wants because the national team is a priority and these playoffs coming up are probably the most important games Scotland have had for a long time, so whatever he needs the authorities should give him what he wants, if it's the best for the national team for those games.”

Lennon knows that there are obstacles to altering the packed fixture schedule, but with Scotland’s co-efficient score creeping the nation closer to the all-important 15th position that would give the Premiership two Champions League places, he says the league should be doing everything in its power to make things easier for the clubs who are carrying that fight on the continent.

"You are battling with the TV companies as well because they want the early kick-offs,” he said.

“You are playing on a Thursday night and then you are in Aberdeen on Sunday for a 12.15 kick-off. Yeah we played well, got a great result, but it's still the players who have to go out and do the work and the fatigue or injury can cost you going forward.

“Sometimes, we need a little bit of help on that, there's no question of that.”

One of the by-products of Celtic's early qualification for the knockout stages of the Europa League is an easing of the workload on their players, with Lennon pleased to be able to rotate his squad for q hectic spell throughout December.

“It’s excellent for the club," he said. "For one thing, it takes away the anxiety of playing on Thursdays and Sundays.

"While we still want to finish on top of the group, there won’t be the same stress levels in the European ties and we can rotate a bit more.

“When you look at us having nine fixtures in December, that will help. We need to balance that."