Neil Lennon admits interest in Celtic job as Deila confirms he's leaving

Neil Lennon has said he "would definitely be interested" in rejoining Celtic as manager after the club announced current boss Ronny Deila's decision to leave at the end of this season.

Deila's position had come under increased scrutiny following Sunday's William Hill Scottish Cup exit to Old Firm rivals Rangers, and the 40-year-old Norwegian's summer exit was confirmed on Wednesday morning.

Lennon played for Celtic between 2000 and 2007, managed them between 2010 and 2014 - with Deila then replacing him - and has been out of work since his departure from Bolton in March.

On the possibility of succeeding Deila, the Northern Irishman said: "I would definitely be interested.

"I am not promoting myself for it but you have asked an honest question and I am giving you an honest answer.

"I think you always do (miss being part of Celtic). I was associated with the club for 15 years, I missed it when I left as a player and there are aspects that you miss even now at 44 years of age.

"You see events like Sunday, the passion and the crowd and what it means to so many people, there are not many clubs like it, that can generate that sort of enticement."

As part of the statement on Celtic's website on Wednesday morning about the news, Deila said: "It is vital that the club comes first, instead of me being the focus.

"Hopefully now the team and the club can be the focus as we enter this final important period of the season."

Celtic have an eight-point lead over Aberdeen with five games to go in the Premiership, but some angry Hoops fans demanded Deila be sacked immediately after the penalty shoot-out loss to Mark Warburton's men.

The Parkhead side's hierarchy was understood to be concerned by the lack of progress under Deila during his two-year reign, with the former Stromsgodset boss also reportedly left weary by the constant speculation over his future.

Deila, who was on a one-year rolling contract, acknowledged he had encountered some "disappointments" during his tenure, but said he had always given his all.

"There have been some disappointments and times when we have not achieved what we had hoped for and I'm realistic and honest enough to admit that, but I know that the players, myself and my backroom team have always given everything we had to bring success to our supporters."

He continued: "It was an absolute privilege to be named manager of Celtic, such a wonderful football club, and I have enjoyed my time here immensely.

"I will never forget the welcome I received almost two years ago at Celtic Park from so many fans. When I joined Celtic I knew I was coming to one of the world's great football clubs."

Deila led the Glasgow giants to a league and cup double last term and is aiming to deliver the club's fifth successive Scottish Premiership title.

"My total focus now is on retaining our Premiership title and making it five in a row for our great club and proving that we are the best in the country," he said.

"Myself and the players will be giving everything we can to achieve this and I know that starting on Sunday we must all unite and drive the club on and really go for what we all want as Celtic supporters - to be Scottish champions once again."

Celtic failed to reach the Champions League group stage after a play-off defeat to Malmo in August, and had a dismal Europa League campaign too, finishing winless and bottom of their pool.

The Premiership title is now their only hope of domestic glory this season, with their Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Rangers having come after January's League Cup semi-final loss to Ross County.

Deila was appointed Celtic boss in June 2014, having guided Stromsgodset to their first title in 43 years the previous campaign and won the Norwegian Cup in 2010.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell thanked Deila for his efforts over the past 22 months, saying: "Ronny has given everything to Celtic during the past two years and we thank him for his contribution to the club.

"He is a man of real humility, someone of tremendous character, and I personally wish him nothing but success for the future.

"In the immediate future that means the Scottish Premiership title. Ronny has won it already once before and I know everyone at the club and our supporters will be right behind him and the team as he aims to do it again and make it five in a row for Celtic."