Ex-Rapid Bucharest president makes 'doomed' Neil Lennon claim

Former club president Daniel Niculae has hammered Rapid Bucharest for appointing Neil Lennon and says the Celtic legend's brief spell in the Romanian capital was doomed from the start.

Lurgan native Lennon was handed the reins of the Liga I club back in May, and revamped his squad with 12 signings last summer. But the former Northern Ireland midfielder ended up getting the boot by Rapid after failing to pick up a victory in his six matches at the helm.

And former Rapid striker Niculae - who's three-year spell as club president ended earlier this year- has criticised majority shareholder Dan Șucu for even giving Lennon the job, reports the Daily Record.

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Speaking to GSP, he said: "His appointment was a mistake last summer, a big mistake! No, the dismissal wasn't a mistake, just the timing of his installation.

"This solution should not even have been discussed. Everyone sounded the alarm about Lennon's arrival, but why that happened I don't know; the "bad guys" from Rapid should be asked."

Earlier this month, Lennon himself threatened to disclose details around his quick-fire departure.

He told golazo.ro: "One day I will say more about what happened at Rapid, but not now. I don't know what version the club is telling about my departure, but I think most people know the truth about what happened.

"As for the results that Rapid has now, it's really not my problem anymore."

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