Celtic manager Neil Lennon has said he was delighted that Jim McGuinness and Donegal overcame Tyrone in the Ulster championship, because he feared defeat would mean the knives would be out to blame the Donegal manager’s role with Celtic as a factor in a Donegal defeat. 
McGuinness was appointed as a performance consultant at the Glasgow club shortly after leading Donegal to All Ireland glory last year, with many cynics suggesting that with him spending most of the week in Glasgow that it would be impossible to combine both roles.
Lennon said,
“I’m sure if Donegal had lost the knives would have been out for Jim, people would have been saying he isn’t focused on the Donegal job and too much of his time is spent working with our academy players here at Celtic.”
“I’m glad they progressed he was nervous before the match, but I’ve spoken to him since and he is delighted with the victory it has given them a big pyschological lift.”
“We at Celtic make sure his work with us doesn’t override his primary job with the Donegal team we know how much pride he has in managing his county.”
It was McGuinness’s speciality in sports psychology which resulted in Lennon seeking out the services of the Glenties man in the aftermath of that All-Ireland triumph over Mayo.
Lennon added,
“Jim’s work with the younger players has given us much more insight into their mentality, What we want from Jim is to build up a profile of all the younger players, so we know their strengths and weaknesses.”
“It’s not just football-wise — because we know most of that already — but in their private lives as well.”
Next up for McGuinness and Donegal is an Ulster semi final clash with Down in 3 weeks time, as Donegal look to make it 3 Anglo Celts in a row.