Neil Lennon has revealed he was 'really close' to landing the job as the Republic of Ireland's national team manager.

The 52-year-old is well-known for his managerial success at Celtic, for whom he made 293 appearances as a player.

Across two stints in the Celtic Park dugout, Lennon won five Scottish Premiership titles, four Scottish Cups and the Scottish League Cup.

His last appointment came at Cypriot side Omonia, where he was sacked in October 2022 after just seven months in charge.

Speaking to talkSPORT Breakfast, Lennon explained that he's keen on returning to management and surprisingly revealed he nearly took the Ireland job, with John O'Shea currently in interim charge.

Despite being a Northern Irishman and earning 40 caps for his country, he admitted: "I was really close to the Ireland job.

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