Celtic captain Lennon to quit club

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GLASGOW, Scotland -- Celtic captain Neil Lennon will leave the Scottish champions at the end of the season after deciding against extending his contract.

The 35-year-old former Northern Ireland international is set to play his final match for the Glasgow giants in the Scottish Cup final against Dunfermline on May 26.

Midfielder Lennon joined Celtic from Leicester in December 2000 and has helped them to five Scottish titles since being lured north of the border by former manager Martin O'Neill.

"Obviously having been with the club for so long, it will be a real wrench to leave, but I have thought long and hard about this decision and believe that it is the right one.

"I feel it is right to go out on a high and given that we have just secured the league title for the second year running, I believe that this is the best decision at the best time," said Lennon.

He has not retired from playing, and could seek a new club in England.

Lennon recently warned manager Gordon Strachan he would be unwilling to settle for the occasional cameo role at Celtic, saying: "I don't want to be the old player that hangs around clapping the boys off."

Former Old Firm star Mo Johnston has already expressed an interest in recruiting Lennon for his Toronto FC side, the Canadian outfit who are in the early stages of their maiden Major League Soccer campaign.

Lennon made his 300th appearance for Celtic in the 2-1 win at Kilmarnock on Sunday which clinched a second successive league title.

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