Veteran striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is one of the best signings Neil Lennon has made in his five-year managerial career, believes the Northern Irishman.
Lennon brought Iceland’s record goalscorer back to Bolton almost 15 years after he had left the club for Chelsea, with the 36-year-old signing a six-month deal in December.
The ex-Barcelona man has since netted six goals in 20 appearances and recently made a goalscoring return to his country’s national side.
Lennon ranks Gudjohnsen amongst his best acquisitions as a manager and expressed his desire for him to prolong his stay beyond the length of his current contract.
“Eidur has got better as the season has gone on, which has certainly pleased me,” Lennon said.
“He’s been fantastic. He’s a brilliant player and a great influence on us both on and off the field.
“He’s one of my best signings, including all the Celtic ones that I’ve made over the years. We want him around next season, there’s no questioning that.”
The signing of Gudjohnsen was seen as something of a gamble by Lennon, but the former Celtic boss is delighted with what he has seen since the striker’s arrival.
“Eidur didn’t have a pre-season and he hadn’t played much football for a while before we brought him in,” said Lennon.
“It was obviously going to take time for him to get up to speed. Some people were maybe wondering whether he would ever get up to speed at his age.
“There was never any doubting his qualities, the question was whether he could sustain it. He has certainly done that and I think there’s plenty more to come from him.”
Lennon also brought in a 36-year-old Emile Heskey later in December, and he is delighted with the impact that the two veterans have had on Bolton’s young squad.
“They’re still playing with real quality and at a really high level. Heskey has been fantastic as well. The way he leads the line and brings other into play is magnificent,” he added.
“If I was 25 and I had Heskey and Gudjohnsen sitting opposite me it that would give me great inspiration and show me where I need to be,” he added.
Main image courtesy of BWFC via YouTube, with thanks.
