experienced two contrasting chapters as manager of .
In his first stint, he was charged with rebuilding the side around emerging talent, aiming to wrestle back the SPL title and make an impact in the Champions League. It was a demanding brief, yet one he navigated impressively. By the time he returned for a second spell, the landscape had changed. He stepped into the role following , inheriting a dominant squad that had swept aside every domestic trophy in its path.
Lennon himself has admitted that his approach evolved. Early on, he felt ready to confront anyone and anything in pursuit of success. Later, he acknowledged that experience had softened some of those sharper edges.
One of the pillars of that initial era was , who recently shared memories of a painful period during those formative years.
Lennon had replaced , first as caretaker before securing the job permanently. In his first full campaign, Celtic were locked in a fierce title battle with Rangers that went down to the wire before slipping away in dramatic fashion.
Two matches from the run in remain etched in memory, away fixtures against Rangers and Inverness. Speaking on The Breakdown, Mulgrew recalled the defining moments.
He remembered a late penalty against Rangers that season, saved by . Mulgrew believes converting that spot kick might have swung the title race decisively in Celtic’s favour. Earlier in the campaign, Georgios Samaras had also been denied from the spot by the same goalkeeper, and Rangers ultimately edged the championship by two points.
Another crushing blow came in Inverness. Lennon’s visible frustration on the touchline became one of the enduring images of that season. Mulgrew admitted he struggled badly in that defeat and still feels the sting when reflecting on it.
After the loss, the squad returned to Glasgow and headed straight to Celtic Park for an emergency meeting. Players and staff gathered as Lennon dissected the performance. According to Mulgrew, it was intense. Teammates challenged one another, voices were raised, and responsibility was demanded across the board. Such inquests became a pattern after setbacks, but he believes they often sparked a strong response in the following matches.
Mulgrew’s own Celtic story under Lennon is notable for its resilience. Having left the club in 2006 without making a senior appearance, he rebuilt his career through spells at Dundee United, Wolves and Southend United before flourishing at Aberdeen. Lennon then offered him the opportunity to return to his boyhood club.
Back in Glasgow, Mulgrew became a key figure, valued for his adaptability across multiple positions. He went on to make more than 200 appearances and even served as vice captain to , cementing his place in the club’s modern history.