Legendary Romanian manager Mircea Lucescu has endorsed Neil Lennon's imminent appointment as Rapid Bucharest manager.
The former Celtic manager looks set to be announced as the new manager of Rapid after their bitter derby at the weekend with Steaua Bucharest, which Lennon will attend.
Lucescu, 78, was linked with the job before Lennon was mentioned, but the former Inter Milan, Galatasaray, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Shakhtar Donestk, Turkey and Romania boss insists he wasn't interested in returning to Rapid as manager for a third spell, after leaving his last job as Dynamo Kyiv boss last year.
Lucescu said: "I did speak to the owner of Rapid Bucharest, Dan Secu, but it was discussions about their training ground facilities and not as the job of manager.
"He wanted my advice and I was happy to give it to him. For a club with their ambitions, they have to sort out their training centre.
"Mr Sucu has now decided on his next manager and it seems to me to be an excellent appointment. He is an experienced coach.
"And I would say to Rapid fans they are extremely lucky they have someone who invests so much in their team, both financially and emotionally, to be the man who owns the club."
Meanwhile, Lennon was given a rousing reception by the Celtic fans at Rugby Park last night - because Brendan Rodgers made sure of it.
The Hoops manager grabbed hold of his fellow club legend before presenting him to the packed-out away end at Rugby Park last night.
The crowd gave the pair a huge roar, as Rodgers indicated to the fans to make plenty of noise for the Northern Irishman.
Lennon, of course, replaced Rodgers in 2019 when he departed for Leicester City. The duo enjoyed the emotional embrace, as they took in the scenes of joy among the Celtic faithful.
