Neil Lennon to be named Celtic's new manager after passing audition

Neil Lennon will be introduced as Celtic's new manager tomorrow morning after the formalities relating to his appointment were finally completed today. The 38-year-old, who succeeds Tony Mowbray, has convinced the Celtic board to back him on a long-term deal despite presiding over the embarrassing Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Ross County. Lennon's caretaker spell in charge from March also included a run of eight league wins in succession. Stuart Baxter, the English coach of Finland, is expected to take on a part-time consultancy role at Celtic once the terms of that position can be agreed with the Finnish FA. Because of fears about Lennon's lack of experience – this is his first job in management – the former club captain had earlier admitted he would have to work with a "senior hand". Dermot Desmond, Celtic's largest individual shareholder, subsequently turned to Baxter, the former AIK Stockholm, Helsingborgs and South Africa manager who has, intriguingly, been publicly praised by Henrik Larsson, a hero the east end from his time as a player at Parkhead. Lennon will also look to add three of his former team-mates, Alan Thompson, Johan Mjallby and Garry Parker, to his coaching staff. Mjallby assisted Lennon during his caretaker spell and Thompson left his job at Newcastle United's academy last week. Of equal importance to Lennon is the pursuit of transfer targets, some of whom are high-profile. Sol Campbell has held talks regarding a two-year contract, with a loan deal for Hull City's Jimmy Bullard and a similar arrangement for the Manchester City forward Craig Bellamy also in Lennon's thoughts. Joe Ledley has reportedly travelled to Glasgow for a tour of Celtic Park and the club's training ground as he weighs up whether to move on a free transfer from Cardiff City. Celtic are also expected to press ahead with bids for the Scunthorpe United centre-forward Gary Hooper and Nottingham Forest's highly-rated centre-half Kelvin Wilson. The new manager's application for the job is understood to have been supported by the former Hoops manager Martin O'Neill, who took Lennon to Parkhead from Leicester City in 2000 and subsequently made him captain.