Collins, a former Bhoys player, was linked to the manager's job at Celtic when Tony Mowbray was sacked in 2009, but Lennon took the top job at Parkhead.

This year Celtic narrowly missed out on the Scottish Premier League title and won the Scottish Cup, but the 39-year-old will remember his first full season in charge for very different reasons.

Lennon was the target of two "viable" parcel bombs last month, while two other prominent Celtic fans, lawyer Paul McBride QC and former MSP Trish Godman, were also sent similar devices.

None of the packages, which police said were designed to cause "real harm", detonated.

The Glasgow club beefed up security around their manager in the knowledge that he was a target, but a supporter allegedly punched him after breaking past security to reach the dugout during Celtic's 3-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle.

Collins enjoyed a successful year in charge of Hibernian and is hoping to get back into management after his 18-month spell in charge of Belgian side Charleroi came to an end in May 2009.

The 43-year-old insists he is not after Lennon's job and doubts that he would ever take over the manager's position at Parkhead because of what has happened to him this year.

"What has happened would put me or any manager off that job," Collins told Press Association Sport.

"You have to think of your family and your family's wellbeing.

"There's no doubt what happened in Scottish football this season surrounding Neil Lennon will have a massive effect on the rest of his life and the lives of everyone around him.

"It's unhealthy. In that environment, I can't say it's a job that would be appealing."

Rangers and Celtic have always shared one of the most intense rivalries in football, but both sides of the Old Firm divide were united in condemnation of the incident.

Collins knows how strained the relationship between the two sides can get having played over 200 times for the Bhoys and he has called on the authorities to stamp out any trouble.

"Sad and disgusting are the words I would use to describe what happened," Collins said.

"It's something we don't want to see in football and in Scottish society. Rivalry is healthy but not hatred, religion and sectarianism. Those things have nothing to do with football.

"We have to find out the ones who are doing it and make sure we keep them away from football stadiums because it will only bring the game down."

Lennon was also sent bullets in the post in January, but has always remained determined to stay in charge despite the threats.

Collins admires the way that the Celtic boss has carried on with his duties.

"It must have been frightening and worrying for him and for his family," said the former Fulham midfielder, who was speaking at the UEFA Grassroots Day initiative in London'sHyde Park.

"I don't know how he kept going but all credit to him. He has not let it drive him out of the game.

"The easiest thing would for him to say 'I don't need this in my life' but if he had done that then the winners would have been the perpetrators so he has done the right thing.

"Hopefully as a country we can root out the evil and the problems so we get back to talking about football."