Neil Lennon tips Callum McGregor for Celtic dugout as former boss expects captain to surpass Bobby Lennox haul

Neil Lennon is convinced Celtic leader Callum McGregor will become the most decorated player in Hoops history – and one day become manager of the club.

The captain has led the Hoops to the Premiership and League Cup this season to take his tally to an incredible 19 major honours – with the Scottish Cup Final to come against Inverness next weekend. A treble would leave McGregor just five trophies behind Bobby Lennox as Celtic’s greatest medal winner and former player and gaffer Lennon reckons the dream total is very much on. Lennon hoovered up 11 honours as a Parkhead player and another 10 as manager.

But he believes McGregor will continue to stockpile awards on the pitch before inevitably going on to becoming a top boss once he’s hung up his boots. Lennon said: “If Celtic beat Inverness in the Scottish Cup final then he’ll have won 20 major honours and I think he’ll go on and set the record for the most decorated player. Celtic are in a period of real dominance at the moment and I can see that lasting for at least a few more years.

“At 29, you’ll see the absolute best of him in the next three or four seasons. He’s at the perfect age, better than he’s ever been physically and he has the experience to back it up now. He’s always in great shape and is hardly ever injured so he’s available to play just about every week. Plus he could continue like this for another five or six years.”

Lennon believes McGregor has got plenty in the tank as a player but he can see signs the midfield playmaker will be made for management. It’s a path he was thrust down as he took charge in 2010, initially as caretaker following Tony Mowbray’s departure, and then as permanent gaffer in two trophy laden spells in the hot seat.

Former club