Neil Lennon had Celtic success because Rangers 'didn't exist' as Romania legend eviscerates Rapid Bucharest stint

Former Dinamo Bucharest boss Eugen Neagoe has claimed Neil Lennon only won trophies at Celtic because Rangers 'didn't exist" after his quick-fire Rapid Bucharest exit.

The former Parkhead boss was shown the door by the Romanian side after just 92 days in the hot seat following five draws and a defeat in his first six league games. The former Celtic player - who has also managed Hibs, Bolton and Omonia Nicosia - came under heavy fire from fans during his brief stint and Rapid have moved quickly to replace him with former player and boss Marius Sumudica.

And managerial stalwart Neagoe - who has been in charge of eight clubs in Romania including Cluj and Universitatea Craiova and also had a stint in Cyprus with Aris Limassol - slaughtered the Irishman and his record of winning 10 trophies during his time in Glasgow's east end. He said: "I predicted Lennon wouldn't last four games because he knows nothing about Romanian football. He actually managed for six.

"Look, hats off to him for the trophies he won in his career, but remember he won them when Rangers didn't exist. Celtic were playing alone in the Scottish league.

"He was the manager of Omonia Nicosia before he came to Rapid and I played there during my career. I was told by a former colleague of mine that they were all disappointed with what happened there while Lennon was the manager.

"Rapid were playing so poorly under him. In fact, I haven't seen Rapid playing so poorly for a long time."