Neil Lennon once took Darren Bent to task after he said he'd rather play under Steven Gerrard in 2019.
That's a claim from the former England striker, who told talkSPORT all about an awkward phone call where the then Celtic boss sought to "clarify" some comments. Back then, Gerrard was only getting started at Rangers having just finished his first season in charge at Ibrox. Lennon, meanwhile, had just been handed the Celtic job on a permanent basis after taking over from Brendan Rodgers and steering the Hoops to a ninth successive Premiership title.
It was against the backdrop of that Gerrard-Lennon rivalry that Bent was asked by Football Insider who he'd rather play under. And Bent, who played with Gerrard for England, had a few choice words to say about Lennon - but was made to think twice after the Irishman was on the phone the next day asking for an explanation.
Bent said: "I used to do a column for Football Insider and I spoke about Lennon. They asked me a question: who would I rather play under, Steven Gerrard when he was at Rangers or Neil Lennon? I basically just said Steven Gerrard probably, because he's a young fresh manager, I've played with him and I know him.
"I said something about Neil Lennon. I said there was a bit of commotion at the time or something like that. The next day someone I knew texted me and said Neil Lennon's asking for your number. I said no worries, no problem at all. He calls me up and says 'I just want to clarify some of the things you said.' I just said exactly what I thought.
"But to be fair after that, I had to work with him on Soccer Saturday a couple of times, and he was the nicest guy. To the point where I felt 'I wish I hadn't said that now'."
Bent's version of events appear to present a tamer version of the story than his quotes at the time suggested. His comments branded Lennon "old school" and took aim at the Irishman for attracting "drama" - which is likely why he reached out.
Bent wrote at the time: “I’d rather go and play for a Steven Gerrard over Neil Lennon any day of the week because he’s (Lennon) old school. It’s different if it’s Brendan Rodgers, the football he played is different than Neil Lennon, he’s inherited a really good squad first and foremost, but if we talk about fresh ideas new ideas and manager on the up, the more exciting team, it has to be Rangers for me.
“I like the way Steven Gerrard plays, I like his passion, I know him quite well playing with England and playing against him and he’s someone that I’d like to play for. Whereas Neil Lennon for me, what you don’t want around any football club is drama and I always feel that with Neil Lennon there’s always little things that crop up around him, things will go well for him for a year at Celtic, that start of next year there’ll be a bit more drama and he’ll be out the job, it feels it might come back round again.
“For me I’d go for Steven Gerrard, the more stable environment for me is under Steven Gerrard.”
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