Will Hibs want Hughes in the dugout with Tommy Craig?

And former Hibs defender John Hughes, while stressing that he is happy as Falkirk head coach, has not discounted a return to Easter Road in the future.

The Scottish Premier League club are seeking a new boss after John Collins' shock resignation on Thursday.

And former Celtic midfielder Lennon appears keen to return to Scotland.

Lennon, who left Celtic in the summer, was given time off by Forest in November to resolve "family issues" north of the Border.

But he returned to training after a week and stressed his commitment to the English League One outfit.

John had an unenviable task Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies

Hughes, who spent four years at Easter Road as a player, has established Falkirk as a Scottish Premier League side after leading them to promotion.

His name was linked with the Hibs job before Collins succeeded Tony Mowbray last October.

But, while admitting that he was a long-time supporter of the club, he stressed to BBC Sport that he was enjoying his fourth year as head coach with the Bairns.

"I'm really happy at Falkirk, but you never say never," he said.

Hughes thought that Collins' departure from Easter Road would be a loss to the Scottish game because the former Scotland midfielder had many fresh ideas.

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee was of a similar opinion.

"As Motherwell manager, I want the likes of Hibs to be doing well, along with ourselves, as we need more teams capable of challenging the Old Firm," he said.

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies sympathised with Collins' position.

"It was a shock to hear he had resigned," he said.

"I know John personally. We've been friends for years.

"I was the manager of Gala Fairydean and living down in the Borders and he used to go about the club.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Surely John Hughes will be favourite, but I don't think he has the ability to take us forward Peanut1875

"I watched his career closely and he has been very successful.

"He's a man of principle, a strong character and he wants to be up there at the top with his club.

"He wants to challenge, but it's difficult for him - but it would be difficult for anybody.

"John had an unenviable task, Hibs are a big club who want to challenge the Old Firm.

"He was brought there to make them successful, but he has had a shortage of tools.

"It looked like they were going to do that, but they had to sell their best players, like Kevin Thomson and Scott Brown, and he had to try and find replacements for these boys for nothing.

"It becomes very difficult for them to maintain the standards.

"If you are going to sell your best players when you are clubs that size, you expect a bit of help, but unfortunately that hasn't been the case.

"They have lost potentially a top manager, but he will go on and be a better man for it."