Despite claiming he wants to continue his playing career, Neil Lennon could find a new temptation placed in his path with the Celtic captain yesterday mooted as the next manager of Northern Ireland.
Despite his heroics so far in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, Lawrie Sanchez looks almost certain to quit the post to take over at Fulham after agreeing a caretaker role with the Premiership club last week following the sacking of Chris Coleman.
Lennon is out of contract at Parkhead at the end of the season with the 36-year-old midfielder having picked up 40 caps before quitting the international stage in August 2002 after receiving death threats.
With Jim Magilton, Ipswich manager, 7/2 favourite for the job if it becomes available and Jimmy Nicholl, the Aberdeen assistant, 5-1, bookmakers still see Lennon's hopes as rather remote. The midfielder is 50-1 to succeed Sanchez.
Steven Pressley, the Celtic defender, yesterday insisted that his four team-mates in contention for SPFA awards are all equally deserving of the accolade for their impressive campaigns.
Shunsuke Nakamura, Artur Boruc and Lee Naylor all find themselves up against Russell Anderson, the Aberdeen captain, for the Player of the Year award while 21-year-old Aiden McGeady has been named in the young player category.
With the votes already in and counted, the awards dinner takes place on Sunday, just hours after Celtic travel to Rugby Park for their match with Kilmarnock, where victory would secure the SPL title.
Pressley admits he has been immensely impressed by the talent at Parkhead since arriving from Hearts and was yesterday eulogising about the Celtic quartet's qualities.
He said: "Artur is a fantastic goalkeeper and has not just proved it with Celtic, he has proved it on the international stage with Poland and had a very good World Cup.
"Lee has had a fantastic season as well and is a very complete full-back. He's got all the qualities - good pace, he is good in the air and is a good football player and bringing him to the club was a very astute piece of business."
"Shunsuke is an exceptional football player. All teams want someone who can make the difference and in Naka you have certainly got that."
He added: "Aiden is an immensely talented young player and these are the kind of players supporters pay their money to go and watch. They are players who get people off their seats and the hardest part of the game is to be creative and take people on."
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