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JOHAN MJALLBY reckons he and Neil Lennon had become stale at Celtic – unable to advance the club any further due to the financial restraints.

The Swede left his post as Parkhead assistant manager a month ago to seek a fresh challenge.

Last midweek, Lennon chose to follow the same path, with confirmed news of the departure breaking on Thursday.

Mjallby confessed that the pair had decided they could do no more to improve the side in the current cash climate.

He said: “We have been used to winning titles but it comes to a point when you see that we might not be able to really improve that team as much as we want to.

“We had four great seasons there and did well in Europe with the financial impact we had been working with.

“The players deserve plaudits for that also. We’re quite proud of what we achieved and we’ve put Celtic back on the European map.

“It’s not been a poor four years but you sit down and speak to each other during the season. We both felt it was time for a new challenge.

“It might be together and it might not be but I’m still sad. I didn’t really know until a few days ago that he was really thinking of leaving Celtic.

“It was something I had been thinking of for some time and it looks like Neil came to the same conclusion.

“You don’t want to get stale in a job. We’ve done well and improved but you need to be brave and say that you’re getting stale and not improving.

“Even if you go to a lesser team size wise, you will be working with new players, new challenges and new goals.”

Mjallby believes that Lennon would consider going down the rungs of the English ladder to help him reach his target of the Premier League.

He said: “I definitely think he would consider a top Championship side where he can see he has a chance to make a name for himself and the club.

“Maybe he could see it as a chance to progress with the team and do something really well.”

Mjallby is also on the lookout for work but admits that could come alongside Lennon again.

He said: “This changes things a wee bit. If Neil gets back into it, I’m not saying I would expect a call but we worked well together and I might get the chance to continue working with him.

“If I stay in Sweden, I would be more likely to try as a No.1.”

Mjallby, meanwhile, admits he can see the logic in his former club going for Henrik Larsson.

The Swedish pair were team-mates for both club and country and Mjallby knows that the popularity of his compatriot could make him a good appointment.

Mjallby said: “I can see the glamour thing with Henrik. He’s doing quite well with quite a small team in the top league in Sweden. This is his first season in the top flight but he is the King of Kings in Glasgow and he would probably put bums back on seats too.

“I don’t know how they’re thinking at Celtic. It looks like Peter Lawwell knew a wee bit about Neil thinking of leaving, so I’m sure they’ve been planning for it.”