Coverage of Neil Lennon’s press conference was curated to show the manager angry and apparently confused about the health of his squad. The reason for his anger was omitted from the snippets available online yesterday afternoon, then mocked by those who should know better.
Neil clearly explained what upset him (full transcript from GlasgowLive). The country is following medical advice to maintain a 2m social distance. Football has followed this rule and it was the determining factor in isolating Ryan Christie and Kieran Tierney when they were within 2m of infected Stuart Armstrong with Scotland in October. Only Christie and Tierney had to isolate as the rest of the squad were not within 2m of Armstrong for any period of time.
Clubs across the UK have made travel arrangements accordingly, keeping a 2m distance between players where possible, or accepting the risk if packing them in any tighter. The 2m rule has been absolute and continues to feature in public health adverts.
What happened politically after Celtic left for Dubai is why you saw an angry Celtic manager yesterday.
On 5 January, Nicola Sturgeon used her daily PR conference to reference photographs of Celtic players in Dubai poolside, and while admitting she had no actual information to backup what she was saying, questioned if Celtic were following her rules. Celtic were following the rules, but that is irrelevant to the Show Trial the First Minister launched.
As Neil Lennon explained, the Scottish Government turned on Celtic, creating a brand new 3m rule for them, while every other club in Scotland with a positive case has been asked to observe a 2m rule.
This is the reason our number of excluded players was as high for the Hibs and Livi games. It is the reason we were subsequently forced to keep players 3m apart when travelling, or 3 players to a 52 seater bus. The rule change was not announced by the First Minister at her PR conferences and has not been forced on any other club, it was delivered below the radar on a vulnerable club with a baying mob (including former players who care nothing for us) ready to lap it up.
Despite the acres of gorging media coverage, no one has solicited a comment on Neil’s claim from the Scottish Government. The Celtic manager appears in front of the country’s media to explain how the Government apply one rule to Celtic and another to the rest of the country, and the headlines are all about his anger! Do you want Tony ‘Take it on the chin’ instead?
The First Minister is on the hook for this. She promised action on Celtic despite knowing they followed her rules, and she followed through with this 3m punishment. It keeps eyes away from her day job. But Neil did the inverted commas sign and he’s having a nightmare season, so some would rather mock, speculate about his mental health or drinking habits. I hope it’s worth the clicks.
Maybe my views were forged when the SFA’s Jim Farry had one rule for Celtic and another for everyone else, but I think the only acceptable reaction to this from a Celtic manager or supporter is seething anger. This is no different in execution or consequence.
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Despite all the squirrels running around, the bottom line is we are totally GASH on the park.
Whose fault is that?
and
When are we going to FIX it?
Answers on a postcard to the board.
Where are the CEO’s public comments on this?
If, as Paul indicates, the Celtic organisation is being targeted maliciously and unfairly by the Scottish Government – and there is hard-evidence to prove that, why is the Celtic Board – with the CEO as the lead executive of the organisation – allowing a non-executive manager of one element of the organisation make unscripted, emotional statements about the issue?
Did Neil go rogue on this (whether you agree with his comments or not)? If so, in any other organisation he would have serious questions to answer to the Board; in any case, the CEO would be doing either backup, or cleanup by this stage – certainly not sitting saying nothing about it.
Did Neil say what he said with the backing of the Board? If so, it was utterly inappropriate of the Board to have a lower-lever (not being derogatory, I just mean not an executive-level person) manager speaking on such a serious matter for the overall organisation.
I agree with previous comments. This is incredibly serious – Neil should NOT be speaking on this.
If Celtic have definitive evidence, get the lawyers on to it. The Board – through the CEO – MUST either back Neil (if what P67 says is true) in this, or they (if what P67 says is not provable) must discipline Neil severely.
If the Board do neither, their position is untenable.
HH
BGFC
More anti-Celtic conspiracy theory nonsense.
Lennon’s presser yesterday was a flat-out embarrassment. The versions we seen might have been edited, but I’ve read the full transcript and based on that and from what I’ve seen he was on an incontinent rant, snarking and biting at even the most mundane questions.
The performance was a disgrace. The BBC podcast said last night that Lawwell’s statement – not Lennon’s delusional rant – is the official position of the club. They actually asked the club, which has not endorsed a single word the manager has said, even to the extent of putting the conference or any of the quotes online.
Lennon was all over the place yesterday, It was appalling to watch.
Does the 2m to 3m rule, apply to crosses into our box?
Paul 67
Agree 100%.
Oldtim
Here’s to you youngster. I raise a G&T to my lips every weekday before dinner and toast the day I’ll share your company for one (or several!)
Jobo, et al. – precisely. If there’s double standards afoot, call them out. With the threat of legal action. The Celtic leadership’s inaction in the event of such evidence seems to be further evidence of their dereliction of duty/ competence/baws (lack of)
In other news, at least Tom Rogic should be available for selection, having spent the entire afternoon last Saturday in splendid self isolation. What tactical 🤡 thought that might work?
HH jg
Reset Celtic
Indulge me
Whilst Saturday’s draw at home to Livingston did not mathematically end the ‘Ten in a Row’ chances of Celtic 2020/21, it did extinguish amongst the support any slim hope that this current squad of imposters have on rescuing the season. Two points taken from the last nine and an earlier League Cup exit means Celtic have virtually nothing left to play for in the coming months- unless the virus disappears and the Scottish Cup is played out….
How did we even get to this place?
That’s an easy answer. Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon.
Under the stewardship of both Celtic have grown fat, lazy, arrogant, entitled and uncompetitive. The decline has been rapid and all it took was a whiff of a strong challenge to blow the house down.
The failure to secure ‘The Ten’ against a financially and morally bankrupt Rangers will not be forgotten by the support and our PLC should be reminded of this at every opportunity. Covid is not to blame here, CELTIC are.
Yet, here we find ourselves and as uncomfortable as it may be, it gives us one slim hope to reset and begin a new chapter at Celtic without the pressures that have burdened us this past year or so, without Lawwell and without Lennon.
Despite everything, the club remains true to its charitable foundations and it’s these foundations I’d like to see the club take further strides in and become very much the community club of Glasgow, Scotland and beyond.
Firstly, I’d like us to set an ambitious target of having 50% of the first team squad as home developed talent brought up through the ranks. I’d like us to openly scout many of those players from ethnic minority backgrounds and have an positive discrimination policy in doing so and a target of at least 25%.
Next, I’d set a maximum wage structure at Celtic of no more than 10k per week. Whilst this is lower than the wages to attract any top talent it should be our ceiling in the poorest area of Scotland and should be supplemented by win bonuses and trophy wins only.
Then, I’d make that wage ceiling the same for all directors and backroom coaches at the club with dividends only payable if the clubs profits equal more than 50% of outgoings mark. The highest paid person should be the first team coach. But again, a ceiling of £1m per year should be set.
All non direct playing staff- retail, tickets, catering, stewards etc should be paid above the national living wage by 10%min.
At least 75% of all profits should be re-invested back into the Academy.
Next, I’d like the club to re- develop a style of football to entertain fans and not just to win trophies- indeed trophy winning should not be a number one aim during this restructuring period – if we do it correctly the trophies will come. We need to be able to go back to a Celtic style of fast, direct, attacking football. This will take time, patience and money, but with Lawwell and Lennon out of the picture it should be achievable in the coming decade.
Finally, we need a new communications strategy. In this age of social media we do not need the Scottish press at all. What we need is a new Head of Communication who as part of his remit should be issuing pre and post match interviews through Celtic channels only and then on a Monday putting out a review of the weekends game and the issues that may have raised- foul play, cheating, refs etc…
http://news.sky.com/story/nicola-sturgeon-faces-more-questions-over-alex-salmond-bullying-claims-after-internal-emails-leaked-12192267
She might not be there long……
Why did Peter Lawell not mention these new rules when he spoke on Celtic TV. When we were being rubbished in the press why did he not invite the national press for a press conference and put the record straight.
Oldtim:
I hope you are well my friend, and that we can grab a beer at some point this year.
Keep on keeping on pal.
IF Celtic DO have hard evidence of the Scot Gov’s ” Go Ahead” for the Dubai trip on the morning of January 2nd, and add to that any Hard evidence that the Scot Gov have accidently or Deliberately moved the Goal Posts in relation to Air Travel and social distance etc to suit their agenda against Celtic FC…Then I would strongly hope Celtic FC will PRODUCE any such evidence , to support the claims that Celtic FC ARE being treated differently, by the Scot Gov and others ?
IF Celtic have said Evidence, what I do agree on is that it should NOT have been left to Neil Lennon to raise such matters in a Presser….HOWEVER…Neil ADMITTED that the Dubai trip was HIS idea….so I would accept that perhaps HE felt the need, that it should be HIM alone who raised the issues about the Dubai trip , rather than anyone else at Celtic Park ?
I would LOVE Celtic to have ALL the Evidence against the Scot Gov over this matter and obviously ALL other Evidence of INCONSISTENCIES with Dressing Rooms, Planes, Buses etc etc, and literally ” Go to Town” with those responsible in the Scot Gov, Media etc…and then for Celtic to ACCUSE the Scot Gov of hindering/affecting Celtic’s ability to play games at FULL STRENGTH….as in effect….Celtic would argue that we should NOT have had so many players missing games because of Self Isolation…and therefore the season SHOULD be declared NULL and VOID, on the grounds that Celtic have been Victimised and seriously weakened by the actions of the Scot Gov……wouldnt that be something to see ?
While we are at it, I see that The fat Gardener has Yet again got plenty to say about Celtic….While he enjoys shooting his fat mouth OFF…Let him tell us what he said to Neil Lennon after Celtic had Gubbed his Hun Mob ?….Wouldnt that be something also ?
LOL.
HH.
BIG GEORGES FAN CLUB – HAIL, HAIL, WEE OSCAR on 19TH JANUARY 2021 10:56 AM
BIG WAVY
These four in particular were the subject of much discussion in the BGFC household before, during and after the Livingston game:
– What made you think Tom Rogic would be an effective target man?
– What was your thinking behind dropping Stephen Welsh for the Livi game?
– Who is your first team keeper?
——————————————————————————————————————-
C’mon BGFC,
Don’t keep us waiting for the 4th subject of much discussion!!!!
;-)
GERRYBHOY on 19TH JANUARY 2021 12:36 PM
Despite all the squirrels running around, the bottom line is we are totally GASH on the park.
Whose fault is that?
and
When are we going to FIX it?
Answers on a postcard to the board.
———-
I’d think about pairing a couple of these many squirrels up front.
Wee nippy bassas, who do well in the air despite the lack of height.
HH jg
Just had a text asking if I wanted the covid vaccine – now let me think
That’s a yes 😉
Think it will be a fortnight before it happens
Confirms what I was hearing yesterday- new one off rules applied to Celtic only taking out half our squad.
Any Celtic fan defending Sturgeon care more for their political party than they do their club.
The SNP have discovered that attacking Celtic wins them friends with the media and they’ve gone all in.
Lennon should still be sacked, not for Dubai. Because we haven’t defended set pieces for the last 6 months and we’re unfit.
But he was spot on yesterday. It’s a pity he’s not being backed by the board. Call these people out, Celtic and don’t leave it all for Neil Lennon do to.
James Forrest
I would say the opposite , I read the full interview and I agree with everything Neil Lennon said , he even apologized to the Celtic fans , which has yet to be covered in any MSM or even Celtic minded websites.
Celtic must produce what correspondence they have with the footballing and government authorities.
We cannot march the troops up to the top of the hill, only to march them down again.
To summarise and sorry to be blunt. We must put up or shut up.
HH.
“. You think it’s justified anger, everyone else thinks it’s delusional whingeing.”
I can also be excluded from the `everyone else ` claim.
Greenpinta
Exactly
BIG JIMMY on 19TH JANUARY 2021 12:52 PM
I hope we do have the evidence and blow the whole stinking lot of them out their office and have the league cancelled. After Lennys conference I think we are going to have to produce something our he will be hung out to dry by the club as well as meddia. If he is wrong why isnt it being plastered over media today?
Yes we have been mince and thats our doing however, the authorities have been shown to cheat Celtic in the past and the media have consistently sided with the right wing organisation (in whatever version) plays out of Ibrox.
I see the British Establishments tried and tested strategy of divide and conquer continues to be played out on CQN.
This whole debacle must be a godsend for the media as it allows them to simultaneously put the boot in to two of their favourite targets, Celtic and the Scottish government.
I fully expect the FM to be asked to comment of Neil’s rant yesterday ( and it was a rant) at today’s presser, then Celtic asked to respond to that response and so on a so forth.
All a distraction from the glaringly obvious which is we are currently a badly run club out of touch with its supporters and demonstrating a hun like sense of entitlement and grievance.
When will it end FFS.
I read the full transcript from the Presser yesterday
Neil was Not on any Rant
He answered loaded questions, and pushed back on the media agenda, to denigrate both Neil and the club
We need to separate the team performance and what ha taken place
Yes we can all disagree with Dubai trip
The Goverment set the rules, Celtic adhered too
Rules changed and only Celtic impacted upon
Very valid points raised by Neil
Our Board as a PLC, should and can they make statements to challenge the Goverment decisions ?
If not speak out as individuals on the difference
PS – Neil still needs to sort out the team performances
HOT SMOKED on 19TH JANUARY 2021 1:04 PM
“. You think it’s justified anger, everyone else thinks it’s delusional whingeing.”
I can also be excluded from the `everyone else ` claim.
——-
This made me smile and think about another esteemed wag, “I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.”
Stay safe Jim
HH jg
THEBHOYFROMOZ on 19TH JANUARY 2021 1:07 PM
‘I see the British Establishments tried and tested strategy of divide and conquer continues to be played out on CQN.’
###
Who is it that’s being ‘divided and conquered’ here
Is it the Scoddish people?
Celtic official statement excerpt when we had the 13+3 isolated
”Celtic Football Club confirmed today that Christopher Jullien has tested positive for Covid-19 and is self-isolating at home. We wish Christopher a speedy recovery.
While all of the other members of the squad and backroom team have tested negative, we have been informed by the authorities that, having been deemed ‘close contacts’, Celtic manager Neil Lennon, assistant John Kennedy and 13 first-team players will be required to self-isolate on a precautionary basis as required by the current regulations.
The Club would like to thank the Scottish FA, JRG and the Scottish Government for their assistance in managing this case. Celtic will, of course, fulfill its fixture against Hibernian this evening”
There can be no doubt that yesterday was off message as we thanked the gov, SFA and JRG AFTER we had been told to isolate so many (which clearly must have come with the explanation in the presser yesterday for the 13+3)
Too late and off company message yesterday ; whether you agree with it or not
In my job; i would be on a yellow card and my bonus in the toilet if i had bypassed my bosses and gone off script. I don’t believe Lawwell is using Lennon, I think he wanted to have his say on the subject
Celts for change 2021
http://chng.it/gq2PP5ndp7
‘”Incontinent Rant”, “Snarking & Biting”, “Delusional Rant”, “All over the place”
Mmm. Now who does that remind me of ?
Like most things in todays world Paul, its style over substance.
Neil played beautifully into the hands of the Alex Raes, Andy walkers of this world who now speak of concern for Neil after his meltdown.
We have got to be a LOT smarter than this.
Neil was full of emotion yesterday and said some downright stupid things, Any strong ground he was on was washed away by this.
We need to stop digging now,
I’ve listened to the full press conference as per Boy from the Boyne’s twitter link (thanks), I didn’t hear any reference to a 2m rule becoming a 3m rule. I heard Neil say when determining who should self-isolate “it was 2m, then it became 2 seats [on the plane]”, which incidentally might be the same distance.
His main gripe seems to be the subsequent distancing arrangements for normal practices, ie having to maintain 2m distance throughout all further footballing activity. Not sure if he’s picked this up wrong, but my understanding was the 2m rule only comes into play in football if you have a positive case, to determine (as above) who self-isolates. Of course any club will manage their risk, and can choose when to implement 2m distancing wherever practical and appropriate. While there’s been a lot of noise regarding our implementation of this, there’s been no solid action or sanction?
Were Celtic specifically told they have to maintain 2m distancing travelling to away grounds? Or has Neil simply misinterpreted the 2m provision?
JIMBOB71 & LITTLE MISS JIMBOB on 19TH JANUARY 2021 12:53 PM
===========
:-))
As a Degree-qualified Statistician, I can confirm that the number “three” falls well-within the expected variability range of the hypothetical, estimate of “four”.
It is all to do with multiple regression and probability theory – it is difficult to explain in layman’s terms – ahem….
Honest :-)))
HH
BGFC
Good article Paul, but NFL has to go and should have gone last month.
NOTTHEBUS on 19TH JANUARY 2021 1:20 PM
Like most things in todays world Paul, its style over substance.
Neil played beautifully into the hands of the Alex Raes, Andy walkers of this world who now speak of concern for Neil after his meltdown.
We have got to be a LOT smarter than this.
Neil was full of emotion yesterday and said some downright stupid things, Any strong ground he was on was washed away by this.
We need to stop digging now,
———
And we need to invest to create a properly functioning comms dept.
HH jg
“As Neil Lennon explained, the Scottish Government turned on Celtic, creating a brand new 3m rule for them, while every other club in Scotland with a positive case has been asked to observe a 2m rule.”
Paul’s script above seems to be drawing on what Lenny said yesterday, per:
“On the plane they were saying you had to isolate if you were two seats forward or two seats back, which wasn’t the case. We were told it was three metres.”
I think we’ll find in due course that the 3 metres thing is a red herring. The longstanding definition of a Close Contact (one required to self-isolate) is being within 2m of an infected individual for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period, or within 1 metre for any length of time.
Lenny appears to confirm here that folk were required to isolate if they were within 2 seats forward or back from Jullien on the plane. (Not all of those isolating will have been collared for their plane seat. Others would have been identified from other activity over the relevant period)
There were 60 folk in the travelling party on – I gather – a chartered A320. There are 150 seats on a standard layout, 25 rows of 3 seats either side of the aisle. A maximum (budget airline) configuration squeezes 30 rows in, giving 180 seats.
With the maximum 30 rows of 3×2 seats layout, you would have a passenger in every set of 3 seats on every row to accommodate Celtic’s party of 60 travellers. I expect Celtic had fewer seats to provide more leg room for the players on a long haul flight – around 8 hours seated for a flight to Dubai – thus a less socially-distanced arrangement for a number of the party at least.
In short… it’s simply not possible to get 60 folk into an A320 and observe the 2 metre rule. A passenger sitting centrally in the plane is within 2 metres of minimum 18 other seats. If that passenger tests positive then anyone sitting in those seats will be nabbed.
The very fact that a further player has tested positive rather supports the general approach of 2 metres etc.
I linked previously to a study of in-flight transmission which included a seating diagram of infectious and subsequently infected passengers. It explains it far better than I am able. You can see it and read the research here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/3/20-4714-f3
I get that Lenny is bursting with frustration. I doubt he’s slept much since the first test on Jullien came back positive. He was fighting a losing battle before hand, and now the whole thing has blown up in his face. It’s a complete disaster for him personally, the club specifically and the supporters more widely. The regret must be unbearable. The remorse difficult to reconcile to. He’s got a queue down Kerrydale St of folk waiting to tell him; “…told you so.” He’s got flak coming from inside and outside, in the media and doubtless within his own network.
I get all of that. No amount of shouting the odds though can alter the very basic measure of 2 metres distance. If anyone can figure a way to get 60 folk seated in an A320 while maintaining 2 metres between them all, let me know and I’ll apologise without reservation.
One final point here: Passengers are spaced to reduce the risk of transmission. The spacing does not conform to the social-distanced 2 meters, and does not create a “covid-secure” space. Neither does the spacing provide immunity from infection or exemption to being considered a close contact. It simply reduces risk, but risk remains. Celtic’s management has known this for many months. It’s not new.
Given each passenger is within 2 meters of 19 other seats, you’d need a plane with around 1200 seats to socially distance a party of 60. You can apply the same arithmetic to the standard 54 seater Park’s bus if you like. Shrug.
Given what’s at stake, or rather, what was at stake since it’s now all over, I would be astonished if Public Health Scotland have applied an arbitrary 3 metres rule just because it’s Celtic. And I’d be pretty sure that the club’s lawyers would have been in the Court of Session last week had that been the case.
By all means take a shot at those who’ve maligned the club or its people, but let’s not pretend 2 metres is 3 or more when it comes to Celtic. That’s a stretch too far.
Woomph !
Get in there Pablo.
Smart guy bares his teeth.
(Take note Celtic board)
The case for voiding the season gets stronger.
Political interference in football is one thing.
Political discrimination of a single club is quite another.
If any of the FM’s coterie are lurking?
When this season is voided the angry bears will march on YOUR £452m citadel.
The Capitol riot will be a picnic by comparison.
Hail hail
Keep The Faith
JAMESGANG on 19TH JANUARY 2021 1:11 PM
HOT SMOKED on 19TH JANUARY 2021 1:04 PM
“. You think it’s justified anger, everyone else thinks it’s delusional whingeing.”
I can also be excluded from the `everyone else ` claim.
——-
This made me smile and think about another esteemed wag, “I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.”
=================
Also reminded me of a favorite scene from Life of Brian
Brian to Large Crowd: “You’ve got to think for yourselves. You’re all individuals!”
Large Crowd in complete unison: “Yes, we’re all individuals!!”
Brian to Large Crowd: “You’re all different!”
Large Crowd in complete unison: “Yes, we are all different!!”
Single man in crowd: “I’m not”
HH
BGFC
ViveLaDifférenceCSC
BIG GEORGES FAN CLUB – HAIL, HAIL, WEE OSCAR on 19TH JANUARY 2021 1:20 PM
JIMBOB71 & LITTLE MISS JIMBOB on 19TH JANUARY 2021 12:53 PM
===========
I love it when you talk p1sh. It’s done with such effortless authority that you carrr it off every time! 🤷🏼♂️😉🙃
Stay safe my friend.
HH jg
NL was correct to offer more information and comment regarding Dubai and the CoVoiD19 fallout.
He needs to up his game regarding CoViD19 — asymptomatic means you have the virus / you are expressive / you don’t have any symptoms.
However he was correct to call out the media herd instinct / the political grandstanding / the utter hypocrisy of the Scottish Tartan establishment.
Why did 16 people have to “self” isolate?
If we worked to a 2M rule as CoViD19 custom and practice dictate then we need to understand why the 3M rule was now activated and what difference it made.
If the change meant that more players had to self isolate and the 3M rule was a recent invention with no other application either in Scotland or Europe then the last two games need to be replayed.
Sporting integrity comes into play.
What do the bookmakers think of political interference in team selection?
Regarding AW I would have preferred NL to focus on his comments regarding CH and his conduct during the Hibs game — here we have a young player learning his trade in Scotland / a person who has a lot of talent / who has travelled a long way to improve the Scottish footballing gene pool and he has to put up with tripe like that fom a complete no mark who performing like a hungry seal for his media masters.
AW has form.
He is a parasite on our game and he needs to be called out.
Consequently — NL please have another swing at him.
If we’re going for Eddie Howe, we better move now, Newcastle could bag Bruce anytime now,he would be on their list