Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell today paid tribute to the "courage and tenacity" of Neil Lennon after the Northern Irishman stood down as manager at Parkhead. 

Lennon won five trophies in a row after taking charge of the Glasgow giants for a second time back in February 2019 following the departure of Brendan Rodgers for Leicester City. 

In December he became the first man in Scottish football history to complete a treble as a player and manager when his side beat Hearts on penalties in the rescheduled Scottish Cup final at Hampden. 

READ MORE: Neil Lennon resigns as manager with Kennedy taking interim role

But the 2020/21 campaign has been a difficult one for the 49-year-old - their hopes of completing 10-In-A-Row ended long ago - and many fans have called for him to be sacked. 

In a statement on the Glasgow club's official website, Lawwell said: “I would like to pay tribute to Neil for all he has done for the club in his second spell, delivering our eighth and ninth successive league titles, the quadruple treble and winning the last five available domestic trophies.

“Neil has always been and will always be a true Celtic man and someone I will always hold in the highest regard.   

Glasgow Times:  Peter Lawwell Peter Lawwell

“I have watched Neil fight many battles over many years, on and off the field, with a courage and tenacity few could match. Even this season, he has fought so hard and worked tirelessly to turn things around.

“While this season has not progressed as we would have liked, it cannot diminish the character or integrity of a man who has given the Club so much.

READ MORE: Neil Lennon breaks silence after resigning as Celtic boss following 'frustrating' season

“Personally, it is a sad day for me to see Neil leave the Club. Neil is a man of quality and decency, he is someone who will always be part of the fabric of Celtic and someone who will always be welcomed at Celtic Park.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, and personally, I would like to thank Neil for his work as our manager and I wish him and his family good health and continued success in everything they do.”