Charlie Nicholas reckons Celtic must announce that Neil Lennon will be leaving the club before Rangers seal the title.

The former Hoops striker is adamant that Lennon will not be able to continue in the role after a dismal season with Gers just seven points away from their first Premiership trophy in 10 years.

He is now calling for the club to appease supporters before Gers win the trophy or risk alienating the fans who have been calling for Lennon's head for most of the campaign.

He told the Daily Star: "Celtic need to make an announcement to say that Neil Lennon will be going at the end of the season. They need to do that to take some of the edge off Rangers and before they win the title. I know Neil will probably disagree with me but that is my view.

"I just don't think they can keep him in place because a lot of the Celtic fans wouldn't accept it. Neil has been the fall guy and an announcement that he is going I think would stabilise the fans to see who they would want as his successor.

"I am not looking for a gigantic statement but in protection of Neil Lennon there should be one, saying Neil will complete the season and a new manager will come after that.

"If that was to happen then I think the Celtic fans would accept that because the team can't keep going on as it has without any real long-term plan. Celtic have to take an edge back from the dominance that Rangers have just now."