Lennon reveals quit thoughts

Neil Lennon: Admits he has wondered if the stress of the job is really worth it

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has admitted that threats against his safety led him to think about giving it all up.

The former Northern Ireland international revealed the extent of his recent difficulties in an interview with Real Radio phone-in host Peter Martin, to be aired on Monday evening.

Lennon was the focus of a high-profile court case earlier this year, which saw two men, Trevor Muirhead and Neil McKenzie, jailed for five years for conspiring to assault him.

The men targeted Lennon by sending parcel bombs to Celtic Park and the club's training ground.

During the trial Lennon told the court he was left "very disturbed" by the incident.

The period was a particularly traumatic one for the Celtic boss as his friend, fellow target Paul McBride QC, died just days before he was due to give evidence at the trial.

Lennon was a pall bearer at McBride's funeral in Glasgow and admits the stress of events led him to wonder whether it was all worth it.

He said: "I had a real difficult time when Paul McBride passed away.

Tough

"And there was a spell where, on the Monday it was Paul's funeral and then on the Tuesday I had to go and give evidence in the court case and that was a real tough, tough spell.

"At times you think: is it worth it? You know, all these things that happen to you."

Asked if he had considered quitting, Lennon replied: "Yeah. I mean at the end of the day, your personal safety is in jeopardy or you feel it's in jeopardy.

"I was always well briefed by the police and the intelligence officers, so that gave me a lot of comfort through those times but you're just thinking: is it worth living here?

"You know, I love Glasgow. I love the environment. It's been my home for a long, long time.

"But there is an element to it that lets the city down, you know, lets the country down and the sooner we can eradicate that - but it's got to come from the home.

"It's got to come from the families and it's all right pointing the finger at schools and this, that and the other, (but) you know as parents we have a responsibility to bring your kids up in the right way."