Neil Lennon gives verdict on imminent Graeme Souness appointment at Rangers
Neil Lennon believes the appointment of Graeme Souness in a consultancy role at Ibrox will “be a benefit” to Rangers.
Former Gers player and manager Souness confirmed this week he is in discussions over returning to the club in a backroom position.
According to The Times [26 October], an appointment is on the verge of being confirmed, and Lennon has praised Rangers for bringing Souness on board.
Speaking on PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show on Friday [27 October], the former Celtic manager said: “I think it’ll be a benefit. He’s a man of vast experience, a wonderful footballer and had a good career as a manager.
“He’s one of the best pundits around, managed Liverpool, Galatasaray, Blackburn, Newcastle. Why wouldn’t you want to tap into that knowledge if it’s there and he’s willing to help the club out?
“Rangers still means a lot to him. He’s been in the cauldron of being a player and a manager in Glasgow, so he knows what it’s all about.
“He relishes that as well because he has that sort of personality. He’ll be a benefit to the club going forward, whatever capacity that involves.”
Wise choice
Souness played a part in helping Rangers search for Michael Beale’s successor earlier this month, albeit he wanted Frank Lampard to get the job over Philippe Clement.
Bringing in a man of Souness’ vast experience – not just in terms of footballing knowledge, but also activities off the field – is seen as a very wise move from the club.
There are not enough ‘football men’ high up at Ibrox, but that will now change with this appointment.
Exactly what Souness’ day-to-day role will be is unknown, but he will likely have a say in any major decisions such as transfers and – hopefully not anytime soon – finding Clement’s successor.
However, he has already put his foot in it with his comments regarding Lampard, so he must steer clear of talking too openly in his role as a pundit when it comes to Rangers.
With Clement’s feet now under the table and Souness set to follow, it has been a positive few weeks behind the scenes at Rangers.
In other Rangers news, the Gers can have the last laugh after a pundit accused them of being “scared” against Sparta Prague.