Lennon started a four-match touchline ban against Hamilton

Johan Mjallby expects Neil Lennon to stay with Celtic for an extended spell despite some having speculated about the team manager's future.

Lennon's home has had 24-hour surveillance because of security fears in the wake of a controversial midweek Scottish Cup victory over Rangers.

"He hasn't told me that he has had enough," said assistant boss Mjallby after the 2-0 win over Hamilton Accies.

"He is a strong character. He is in this job for the long run."

Former Northern Ireland international Lennon had bullets sent to him through the post earlier in the season and, on Friday, first-team coach Alan Thompson was quoted saying that Lennon could conceivably consider his future in the summer.

Lennon, who began a four-match touchline ban against Accies, had left media duties before and after the game to assistant Mjallby, who was more optimistic.

"He can certainly take the pressure, so I would be very surprised if that happened," said the Swede.

I'm delighted with the three points and the brace Celtic winger Kris Commons

"He is upbeat, in a good state of mind and fairly happy.

"After Wednesday's game, all we did was concentrate on this game and he is very good at that."

The Scottish Football Association has begun an investigation into Wednesday's events, but Mjallby played down his own involvement in the tunnel at half-time, when he appeared to clash with Rangers defender Kyle Bartley.

Mjallby denied he had lost his cool. "Not at all," he said. "Nothing happened really.

"There wasn't much in it and it is done and dusted."

Mjallby praised Kris Commons for his two goals against Hamilton and the Scotland winger was also sure that Lennon would stay with Celtic.

"The impression that he has given us is that he is hungry, he wants to win titles, wants to win medals and he has brought in a lot of players who are striving to do that," said Commons.

"He was in the dressing-room before the game, at half-time and at full-time, so it didn't make a massive difference today."

Commons took his tally of Celtic goals to five with two excellent strikes, which have added to 13 for Derby County.

"I'm delighted with the three points and the brace," the January signing from County told BBC Radio Scotland. "It keeps us ticking over now.

"I've always been a goal threat but never classed as a goal-scorer. Finally there's one season when they are all going in the back of the net for me.

"If I can reach 20 goals, that would be fantastic."

The 2-0 win puts Celtic eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League, although the chasing side have played three games fewer.

"It was important to get back to basics today and keep a clean sheet after slipping up at Motherwell last weekend," explained Commons.

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