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Lennon flattered to be linked with Republic of Ireland job

Lennon flattered to be linked with Republic of Ireland job
© Reuters
The Hibernian manager has been tipped to replace Martin O'Neill.

Neil Lennon is flattered by being linked to the vacant managerial post at the Republic of Ireland but stressed he is satisfied with being Hibernian boss.

Martin O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane left their roles with the Football Association of Ireland earlier in the week and the Easter Road manager emerged as a candidate.

Lennon, who worked under O'Neill at Leicester and Celtic, played 40 times for Northern Ireland between 1994 and 2002.

Ahead of the visit of Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday, the 47-year-old said: "I am in a very good job here and I am just concentrating on that at the minute.

"It is just speculation. I am flattered if there is a link, I have not seen anything or heard anything regarding myself, all I have been doing is concentrating on us getting back into winning form because that is important.

"I am sorry to see Martin go because he had such a huge influence on my career, 10 years I played under him.

"He did some brilliant things with the Republic and I am sure he will come again because he is brilliant.

"He did say he was looking for his next challenge or adventure so he obviously still has still got the hunger and you can see it constantly on the touchline.

"His competitive record with Ireland wasn't that bad. It is part of the job, some things come to an end, nothing lasts forever and I am sure he will be back. I hope so."

Hibs' 1-0 defeat at Aberdeen before the international break meant they have gone four matches without a win – and three without a goal – and Lennon wants to make amends against bottom side Dundee at home on Saturday.

He said: "We are four without a win. It is not like us but there are mitigating circumstances for that.

"I don't think the performances have been poor at all and I know what I have got in the dressing room.

"Even though we are only sitting eighth in the table we are only eight points off the top and so it is very congested around that area.

"What we have to do now is start winning some games and (that) gets us up there challenging again.

"We created good chances against Aberdeen and good chances against Hearts, the only real disappointing performance was against St Johnstone at home where we lost our home record.

"In the main it is not a major concern for me at the minute. Every team has a barren spell. We are not used to it and the sooner we can remedy that the better."

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A calm and composed Neil Lennon in charge of Hibs in April 2018
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd156632215724
5Motherwell157171823-522
6Dundee165472729-219
7St Mirren165381926-718
8Ross County163671230-1815
9St Johnstone1642101829-1114
10Kilmarnock163581734-1714
11Hearts163491825-713
12Hibernian162681828-1012


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