Neil Lennon ready to become Aberdeen FC boss NOW as he leaves door open amid rising relegation jeopardy

Neil Lennon has piled pressure on under Neil Warnock by revealing he’s ready and willing to pick up the reins at Pittodrie.

Lennon was one of the strongly fancied front runners to replace Barry Robson when the former boss was axed by Aberdeen at the end of January before being replaced by veteran Warnock on an interim basis. Lennon has told how he ruled himself out of contention at that time as he was already locked in advanced talks about becoming the next manager of the Republic of Ireland.

But the former Celtic and HIbs boss has been advised by the FIA that he’s missed out on landing that international role. And now the 52-year-old is hoping for a call from Dons chairman Dave Cormack - at a time when Warnock is coming under immense scrutiny having failed to win any of his first seven games in charge. Warnock was expected to remain in position until the end of the season but his side is freefalling towards a possible relegation play-off and the 75-year-old may not survive a Scottish Cup KO at the hands of Kilmanrock this weekend.

And Lennon will be monitoring the situation closely as he plans his own next step in management after 18 months out of the game. He said: “Timing is important and the Aberdeen job is something that I would be very much interested in, no question. I think there is great potential at Aberdeen.”

Lennon was a popular candidate with the Pittodrie punters when his name was put forward as Robson’s potential successor. And he said: “At the time, I was still involved with the Ireland process.

"I couldn't really take that on. But it’s nice to know some of the fans wanted me. That's great. I didn't think I was as popular up there!”

Lennon won five league titles over two stints in Celtic’s hot