Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon has revealed that he'd still fancy a crack at the Aberdeen manager's job when it comes back up for grabs at the end of the season.

The Northern Irishman's name was linked with the Pittodrie post before Neil Warnock took over on an interim basis.

However, Lennon - who was a popular choice among the Reds fans who were canvassed for their views - had put his hat into the ring for the vacant Republic of Ireland head coach position and whilst he came close to landing the coveted post he lost out to former Manchester United star John O'Shea, who has taken over the reins temporarily, with the FAI set to name Stephen Kenny's successor in early April.

Ironically, Warnock has presided over a dismal run in the Granite City with the Dons still looking for their first win under the Englishman. Last weekend's 2-1 loss stretched their winless Premiership run to 10 games. It's worrying times for a team who have won just six times in 28 league outings this season.

The Reds are still searching for a long-term replacement for Barry Robson and will appoint a new permanent manager in the summer as the Aberdeen board conducts their due diligence. US-based Scottish entrepreneur Dave Cormack has appointed five bosses in his tenure as Pittodrie chairman and is under severe pressure to get this managerial call spot on.

Lennon admits that a return to the big time as the boss of Aberdeen is appealing and is a proposition that could entice him back into management. He also believes he could lead Aberdeen back up the Scottish Premiership table just as he did during his stint at Easter Road with Hibs when he guided them back into the top flight from the Championship after an absence of three years as well as into a top-four spot whilst also qualifying for the Europa League in the process.

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Lennon said: "I was linked with the Aberdeen job when it came up but at the time, I was still involved with the Republic of Ireland process and I couldn't really take that on.

"Timing is important and the Aberdeen job is something that I would be very much interested in, no question. I think there is great potential at Aberdeen. I didn't think I was as popular up there. It is nice to know that the fans like me. That's great. I was close to the Ireland job. I was disappointed to miss out on that. The feedback was positive. They wanted to go with someone with international experience. They have made a decision and that will be announced next month.

"I am just looking to back in. I have had a bit of time out. I got offered a couple of jobs in the summer. The timing wasn't right and they didn't appeal to me."

Celtic Way:

Lennon also believes that there is a possible public perception of him in football circles that couldn't be further from the truth and could count against him when he is applying for vacancies. There is no doubt that he is the owner of an impressive managerial CV. He won the Scottish Premiership title five times as a manager with Celtic as well as lifting four Scottish Cups and a League Cup. That haul with the men in green and white also included a domestic treble in 2019/20.

Lennon also won the Championship title with Hibernian in 2016/17 and he guided Greek side Omonia Nicosia to Cypriot Cup success in 2021/22 which earned them a Europa League spot. At 52 years of age, the managerial fire still burns in his belly.

Lennon feels that he still has a lot to offer when it comes to football management and the coaching side of the game. He is well aware that he faces stiff competition to land any managerial job due to the number of high-quality candidates currently out of work. Although he joked that he certainly doesn't want to be a football pundit and to be stuck in a TV studio analysing matches for the rest of his career.

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He said: "I do think there is a perception of me that is wrong. I have achieved a lot in the game - titles, trebles and Champions League.

"I even went abroad and won a trophy and got that team into the Europa League. I have won the Scottish Cup four times as a player and a manager. I have also got real experience. People forget I got the Celtic job when I was very young. I was appointed the Celtic manager around 15 years ago and some people think I am getting on a bit but I still have plenty of energy.

"I am looking forward to getting back into football but the managerial business is so competitive and there are so many outstanding candidates out there. With some clubs, you might suit the definition of what they want as a manager/coach and other people at other clubs might perceive you as not being the kind of coach that they want. I can manage and I can coach, I can do both.

"I feel at 52, my best years are in front of me as a football manager and a coach in terms of experience, my achievements in the game and what I have done and learned as a manager. I feel like I've got plenty left in me as a coach. I have done a lot in my career as a coach. I have achieved a lot but there is still more to do and more that I want to do.

"I'll probably have to see the season out and keep talking crap on the punditry! I enjoy it and I am very grateful for the work but it is not what I want to do."

Neil Lennon was promoting Viaplay's live and exclusive coverage of Celtic v Livingston and Hibernian v Rangers on Sunday. Viaplay is available to stream from viaplay.com or via your TV provider on Sky, Virgin TV, and Amazon Prime as an add-on subscription.