Neil Lennon vows to entertain Dunfermline fans and targets Premiership

Celtic great Lennon helped the struggling Fife outfit to avoid relegation from the Championship after taking over from Michael Tidser for the final seven league games of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Northern Irishman, who brought in former Parkhead centre-half Victor Wanyama and oversaw wins over Livingston and Queen's Park during his brief spell in charge, has now signed a two year deal.
He acknowledged that, with both Ross County and St Johnstone both dropping down a division, that going up will be challenging. However, he remains determined to lead Dunfermline back into the top flight for the first since 2012 next term.
Read more:
'I more or less agreed things with the owner towards the end of the season,' he said. 'Obviously, there was negotiations going on with the contract and that, but he was true to his word and I've been true to my word. We've got a good relationship, which is really important.
'The same is true of the people around the club, David [chairman and chief executive Cook] is obviously important in that aspect as is John [advisor Colquhoun]. We know there's a lot of work that needs to be done. That's a real challenge for me and one that I'm looking forward to.
'I don't like making predictions. But I would like us to be challenging around the top. That's going to take a lot when you consider that two Premiership teams have come down into the division.
'Allied to that, you've got Ayr United and Partick Thistle, Raith Rovers finished the season really strongly, Morton are consistent. So it's an attritional nutritional league. But we have to find the players that will give us the edge in games. If not, they will then be difficult to beat, but also consistent. We need more consistency in our performances.'
(Image: Promotional) Lennon, who will retain Iain Brunskill, Kevin McDonald and Andy Collier on his backroom team, has been attempting to strengthen the Dunfermline squad since last season ended and is keen to bring in players who can give his team far more of a cutting edge in attack.
'We came in at a difficult time and some of the performances were good, solid,' he said. 'But we weren't spectacular by any means, so I want to change that. We only scored 28 goals in 36 games. That's something that has to be changed overall.
'The players were good, their attitude was good. We liked it, we enjoyed it. We enjoyed the challenge, but now this is a different challenge. We want to start looking up the table rather than over our shoulders. There's rebuilding work that needs to be done, but we want to do that incrementally.'
Lennon added, 'We've been working away in the background on a number of players, it's a slow process. There are already players who have signed new contracts from last season.
'There are players who have obviously left the club and their own players have come back to their parent clubs. We've got a small platform to build from in terms of the squad of players so far.
'Recruitment is going to be important. Getting the right players in the right positions and obviously with the right mindset as well. There were things that didn't please me over the six or seven weeks I was there. We just want to change a little bit of the culture around the place as well.
'I want more attacking players. That's always been my way. The bottom line is football is an entertainment business and you want to entertain. I think sometimes it gets lost in all the analytics and the coaching side of things.
'We have good support here. They rock up. They love the club and they want to see a team perform. Yes, full of commitment, that's non-negotiable, but with quality as well.'
Read more:
Cook commented, "This is an important moment for Dunfermline. Confirming the appointment of Neil is a clear statement of our intent to build something meaningful and competitive.
'His leadership during the latter part of last season was outstanding, and he brings a wealth of experience, professionalism, and presence that has already made a significant impact around the club.
'None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of James and Evan[co-owners Bord and Sofer]. It would be remiss of me not to highlight their passion for moving the club forward.
'We know the past few seasons have been challenging on and off the pitch. Entertainment has been in short supply, but our supporters have stuck with us through some difficult times. We aim to repay their loyal backing by competing at the right end of the Championship, giving them a team to be proud of.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scottish Sun

29 minutes ago

• Scottish Sun

Celtic legend and Lisbon Lions hero John Clark dies aged 84 as tributes pour in for club's second-longest serving figure

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC legend John Clark has died at the age of 84. The Parkhead club announced the Lisbon Lion's passing this afternoon with an emotional statement on social media. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 4 John Clark won the European Cup with Celtic Credit: SNS 4 Clark playing against Rangers in 1966 Credit: Scottish News and Sport 4 Clark (right) with Billy McNeill and Jock Stein Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow 4 Clark and Bertie Auld display the European Cup in front of Celtic fans Credit: PA A statement from Celtic read: "Everyone at #CelticFC is deeply saddened at the news that legendary Lisbon Lion, John Clark has passed away at the age of 84. "The whole Celtic family will mourn John's loss together, supporters and colleagues alike. "Rest in Peace John, You'll Never Walk Alone 🦁" Clark won three league titles, three Scottish Cups, four League Cups and of course played a key role in the iconic European Cup victory over Inter Milan in 1967. Clark was one of just two players to feature in all 59 matches in the famous Quadruple season in 1966/67, with Tommy Gemmell the only other Lisbon Lion to replicate the feat. Between April 1965 and September 1967, he played in 140 consecutive matches. Clark went on to become Celtic's second-longest serving figure after Willie Maley as he held various roles within the club across eight decades. He spent over 45 years with the Hoops both as a player and coach and kit man. He was Celtic's lead kit man for over 20 years after taking on the role in 1997. Clark was given the nickname Mr Celtic for his long-lasting service to the Glasgow club. He joined Celtic at the age of 17 in 1958 and spent 13 years in the East End of Glasgow before heading to Morton for two years between 1971 to 1973. The legend was capped four times for Scotland and made two appearances for the Scottish League XI in the late 60s. In total he made 318 appearances for Celtic, scoring three goals. The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up Clark returned to Celtic as reserve team coach then teamed up with Billy McNeill as assistant manager at Aberdeen then Celtic. He had a managerial career with Cowdenbeath, Stranraer, Clyde and Shotts Bon Accord. In May 2004 Martin O'Neill presented Clark with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to Celtic. Clark's son Martin was a footballer, playing for Clyde, Nottingham Forest and Partick Thistle in the 1990s before spells as assistant manager at Morton and East Stirling. Clark's passing means Bobby Lennox, Jim Craig and Willie Wallace are the only surviving Lisbon Lions. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Scottish Sun

29 minutes ago

• Scottish Sun

Rangers EGM vote revealed as Ibrox club plan £20million investment, new share issue and company switch

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT'S officially all systems to go for the new American-led era at Rangers. That's after the Ibrox club's new US owners' immediate plans were rubber-stamped at an EGM. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 New Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh Credit: Alamy 3 Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe is now also in a senior post at Ibrox Credit: Alamy 3 05.06.2025 Rangers FC press conference for new head coach Russell Martin: Russell Martin Credit: Willie Vass It was just a few weeks ago when the American consortium comprised of health insurance tycoon Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises sealed the deal to take over Rangers. After months of talks, the Gers announced at the end of May that it had all gone through, heralding the start of a new era for the Light Blues. Cavenagh was immediately installed as the club's new chairman with 49ers chief Paraag Marathe - who's also the Leeds United chairman - taking up the position of vice-chairman. The big changes continued with Kevin Thelwell quickly beginning work as sporting director before Russell Martin arrived as head coach the week after the takeover was officially done. Martin is working with the Gers squad for the first time today with the players back for pre-season training. With plenty of change in and around the club, fans are now keen to see new players come in the door sooner rather than later. And now, a big step forward to that becoming a reality has been confirmed. For the first time since taking the helm, Cavenagh and Marathe are in Scotland. They've headed for Glasgow where Rangers have been holding an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) this morning at the Double Tree by Hilton hotel in the city centre. The meeting saw several key resolutions voted on by the club's shareholders. Rangers captain James Tavernier spotted training with ex-team-mate and old Premiership rival Ryan Porteous who branded him 'bad loser' The biggest of those was to ratify the proposed £20million injection into the club. Immediately after the takeover was sealed, the new owners stated their intention to invest the £20m immediately and launch a new share issue - subject to shareholder approval. Top of the agenda, the resolution has been passed, alongside a second resolution that was directly linked to it. It means new boss Martin will now have the funds available to add to his squad. Time is of the essence in terms of squad strengthening with the Champions League qualifiers getting underway in a month's time. Rangers will take on Panathiniakos in the second qualifying round. The rubber-stamping of the investment wasn't the only thing on the agenda, however. One of the other resolutions voted on was to ratify Rangers' switch from PLC (public limited company) to a private limited company (LTD). Since 2012, the club have been operating as 'The Rangers International Football Club PLC.' Going forward, it will now be known as 'Rangers International Football Club Limited.' The shift to a limited company sees a change in the business structure and essentially gives the new owners an additional layer of control. It also means that any new shares cannot be offered publicly going forward. All resolutons passed with over 98% approval. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Daily Record

30 minutes ago

• Daily Record

John Clark dead aged 84 as Celtic mourn the loss of another legendary Lisbon Lion

The heartbreaking news has sent shockwaves through the Parkhead support and Clark was recently by Dermot Desmond and Brendan Rodgers Lisbon Lion and Celtic legend John Clark has sadly passed away at the age of 84. The huge Hoops figure spent almost half a century as part of the Parkhead club as player, coach, assistant manager and kitman. ‌ Clark was immortalised as part of Jock Stein 's heroic side who became the first British team to win the European Cup, defeating Inter Milan in Lisbon in 1967. ‌ Celtic won an unprecedented quadruple that season and Clark and Tommy Gemmell were the only to members of the squad to play in all 59 matches. Aside from that historic Lisbon win, Clark won three league championships, three Scottish Cups and four League Cups. When he left Parkhead after 13 years as a player he moved to Morton where he spent two years but returned in 1973 as a coach, working with the reserves. He left to join Lisbon Lions captain Billy McNeill at Aberdeen in 1977 where he was assistant manager before returning to Celtic the following year when McNeill was appointed manager. The pair won five major trophies together, including three league titles. Clark went into management on his own at Cowdenbeath, Stranraer, Clyde and junior side Shotts Bon Accord before again returning to Celtic in 1997, this time as kit controller, where he spent 20 years. Only Celtic's first ever boss Willie Maley spent more years serving the club.