Hartson: Back Lennon To Keep Him

Former Celtic star and teammate of current Hibs boss Neil Lennon, John Hartson has urged the Hibees board to back the Irishman during the summer transfer window or run the risk of losing him to another club.

Hartson claims Lennon’s success in returning the Easter Road side to the top flight won’t have gone unnoticed by others and following a disappointing spell in charge of Bolton Wanderers, believes the title triumph has risen his stock once again.

Hibs sauntered to the Scottish Championship, winning it by 11 points without playing to their full capabilities most weeks and Hartson told the Belfast Telegraph ‘Neil has done superbly taking Hibs up but now they have to back him if they want to keep him, because he has put himself back in the job window.

‘They need to back him. Hibs will know how good he is and you have to reward top managers like Neil. I’m sure all the Hibs people will want him to stay because of the brilliant job he has done there winning promotion to the top flight as champions.

‘I think Neil will want some money to bring in new signings because knowing him he will be determined to be very competitive in the top flight.’

Hibs have been linked with a host of players despite the Scottish season yet to reach a full conclusion with speculation surrounding the possible arrivals of Anthony Stokes, Efe Ambrose and Simon Murray still ongoing.