Three Reasons Neil Lennon will be a Hibs success story

While Brendan Rodgers’ appointment as Celtic manager has caused much excitement in the east end of Glasgow, it’s a former holder of the Parkhead hotseat whose arrival at Hibernian appears to signal a bright future for the 2016 Scottish Cup winners.

Here are three key reasons why Lennon will keep the sun shining on Leith.

He knows what it takes to win a title

Or more accurately, he knows what it takes to win three of them on the spin.

Admittedly, Celtic’s resources are a huge advantage for any manager looking to secure the Ladbrokes Premiership title, but the Northern Irishman achieved those three league triumphs by an average of 21 points.

With Hibernian 13/10 favourites to win next season’s Ladbrokes Championship title, there is perhaps nobody better suited to the task of keeping a top side on track than Lennon. And it isn’t just domestically where the 44-year-old has impressed.

Lennon’s European record is excellent

Hibs have continental football on their agenda for the first time in three years, and despite a comprehensive loss to Malmo back in 2013, there’s plenty of weight to the argument that they’ll impress in the Europa League this time out.

Lennon’s European record at Celtic Park was extremely impressive indeed. He led the Parkhead outfit to the last 16 of the Champions League in 2012-13, as they defeated then title-holders Barcelona 2-1 in Glasgow.

That was the first of two successive group-stage berths the Bhoys managed in the competition under Lennon.

Combine that continental pedigree with a fearless young Hibs side who proved they can triumph on the big stage – winning the Scottish Cup final against Rangers – and chances are we’ll see them banish the memory of Malmo with a good European run.

Young talents thrive under Lennon

Easter Road is currently home to some of Scotland’s finest young talents. Jason Cummings, Sam Stanton, Fraser Fyvie and John McGinn – the current Ladbrokes Championship Player of the Season – are exceptional prospects and all under the age of 24.

And Hibs’ new golden generation are in good hands with Lennon. He turned the raw talent of teens like Liam Henderson and Tom Rogic into the more mature players they are today at Celtic. Meanwhile, at Bolton, Lennon gave the gifted Zach Clough his senior debut for the Trotters.

With their Scottish Cup hoodoo ended, and a successful boss in charge of a talented young team, Hibs look excellent value to win the competition again next season at 25/1, while 20/1 says they win the Scottish League Cup for the first time since 2007.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.