Neil Lennon's Hibs history WOULDN'T put him off Hearts job as Celtic legend makes shock case
John Hartson insists Neil Lennon wouldn't turn his nose up at the Hearts job despite the Northern Irishman's history with Hibs and Celtic.
The Jambos are on hunt for a new boss after Steven Naismith was sacked following a winless start to the campaign, leaving the club rock bottom of the Premiership. Liam Fox has been put in interim charge as club chiefs draw up a shortlist of contenders for the Tynecastle hotseat. Derek McInnes, Alex Neil and Stephen Robinson are among the bookies' early favourites for the vacancy.
One man who won't be expecting a phone call from the Gorgie hierarchy is out-of-work Lennon. The 53-year-old has had various run-ins with the maroon support down the years during his spells at city rivals Hibs and Celtic. The Hoops legend - who was recently axed by Rapid Bucharest after just six games in charge - was even attacked on the Tynecastle touchline by a thug during a clash in 2011.
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Yet despite Lennon's stormy relationship with Hearts, Hartson left fellow radio pundit Stephen McGinn gobsmacked by claiming his former Parkhead teammate WOULD consider the role.
The Welshman told Go Radio: "I don't think that would bother him too much. He's quite thick thinned. I know he did really well at Hibs, he got them promoted from the Championship to the Premiership.
"Listen, I don't think the Hibs fans would like it. But at the end of the day, if Neil was to be offered the job, I don't think his excuse would be because he managed Hibs. I don't know exactly the way he would think, but I think he would see it as an opportunity to get back into the game in Scotland with a really good club. I don't think it would put him off, I'll be honest with you."
When the question was put to McGinn, the ex-Easter Road midfielder delivered a point-blank answer by saying: "No. I don't think it's anything to do with managerial ability. I think it's to do with the fact he's managed Celtic and Hibs."