“I said to the players at half time that we were shaming the club at the moment and they had to go out and show some pride in the shirt”, the words of Neil Lennon to the BBC after the game on Saturday.
Pride in the shirt is a requirement any manager should ask of his team, and it is notable that the subsequent goal-scorers both have strong connections to the club, but it probably had little to do with the second half performance from Anthony Stokes, Charlie Mulgrew and our the impressive James Forrest. Calls to pride are limited in what they can achieve, genuine talent is far more effective.
At the AGM on Friday and again in his post-match comments on Saturday, Neil alluded to the fragility of his own position. Had the game finished 3-0 to Kilmarnock I think he would have walked away. This would have been a great pity.
Neil is learning on the job. He was not gifted the benefits of experience without actually having to work through difficult times as a manager. Before his thoughts turn to his own position, before our season is too far gone to save, he should recruit an experienced assistant. Someone who knows the challenges of working with a disparate group of players, who can deal with the challenges of a demanding board and supporter base.
The need for a mentor was evident 18 months ago and is screamingly so now. For the sake of Celtic, do the necessary.
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bjmac,
BlantyreKev & I made a pact never again to be in the same room as one another after a disastrous CQN night some years ago when we were both wearing the same outfit.
Neil needs a mentor.
Neil needs coaches, defensive especially.
Or Neil needs to leave.
Simple.
Shamrock Rovers manager could do us a turn not to mention some of the team
Just spoke with my Ibrox insider there.
I won’t give his name away but it’s not Cultsbhoy. Oh no it’s not.
He says all is well from his golden seat at Ibrox.
So there you have it.
MWD Could my Ibrox insider be a HUN??? That is the $1690 question.
philvisreturns says:
17 October, 2011 at 12:51
I agree with you in that I think NL needs someone to help him.
Cultsbhoy,
I agree. If the need for mentoring comes up in the role of Celtic manager after more than a year in the job then the job’s too big for you.
“Before his thoughts turn to his own position, before our season is too far gone to save, he should recruit an experienced assistant.”
BBC Scotland understands that Walter Smith is still available.
;o)
Mwd
Any response to your advert. : )
Moonbeams WD. \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. C’mon the hoops. 17 October, 2011 at 12:55:
Did your insider hear the Celtic support coughing aggressively during a minutes silence from his seat?
Absolutely right, Paul. Appointing a novice manager was a risk, but 3 novice assistants as well …..
I suggest David Hay could lurk in the background.
I would also be available on a part-time basis, as it was me who put forward the name Gert-Jan Verbeek for manager – he’s now top of the Dutch league with AZ Alkmaar.
Joe Filippis Haircut says:
17 October, 2011 at 12:44
Well we all see things differently. Where you might see flying into reckless tackles as enthusiasm and committement I see his playing to the gallery. Where you see failure to track back as homessickness I see poor attitude. Where some might see continually complaining to the referee as committement I see someone who can’t accept he’s made mistake after mistake and is looking for excuses.
Everyone on here posts their opinions. We don’t need inside formation to do that.
I cannot emphasise enough. I don’t trust this guy. IMHO he’s bad news.
Hope you’re well.
53
tictalker says:
17 October, 2011 at 12:50
Spot on! 4-3-2-1 at home, 4-2-3-1 away IMHO.
Cultsbhoy
You tell me!
MWD
The way the team has been managed for the last three away league matches does make us question what is happening. For example, at Tynecastle so many players finished out of position.
rbankbhoy – We all do.
The Blues Brothers pointed out that everybody needs somebody.
I couldn’t do my job without talented and hardworking people to back me up, and I’m amazingly brilliant in every way.
Even Dr. House needs a team, and he’s almost as smart as me.
I don’t think Neil needs a mentor. He needs a more experienced coaching team. (thumbsup)
CultsBhoy hates being 2nd says:
17 October, 2011 at 12:54
Most of the names you mention had exeprience before managing Celtic. Not getting their badges and then managing Celtic 6 months later.
I think the club is a bit all over the place at the moment. Whether its PL, DD, NL, coaching staff or players who are getting the blame, there is no quick fix unless DD decided to give us a mega Xmas gift.
For me, there has never been a time when we’ve badly needed a real captain and leader out there, like we do now. I know that Danny McGrains and Roy Aitkens dont grow on trees but there surely must be some player, an old heid with experience who fits the bill. Scott Brown is too immature and impetuous and does not lead by example.
HH
Really…..
We all know who we as supporters would want in the dug-out with Neil, and it’s definately not Mr Sleekit Underminer Esq.
HH
Lenny doesn’t need a mentor, he needs a transfer budget that will allow him to replace Boruc, 16 months after his departure, buy at least one centre half (that’s right BUY), and sign the striker he wanted in the summer.
Drop the ‘mentor’ tag, what other teams have ‘mentors’. On the other hand, every team has experienced coaches. They don’t need to arrive with a fanfare, and their merits don’t need to be debated in the public domain.
This is becoming micro-management by the support on an issue which we shouldn’t even be debating, simply because of a glaringly simple error that’s been left to fester for over a year.
Neil Lennon, Johan Mjallby, Alan Thomson, Gary Parker, John Park, Danny McGrain, Chris McCart, Stevie Frail, Tommy Mcintyre, Miodrag Krivokapic
Are all of our existing coaching and managerial talent being used by Neil Lennon for consultation? staff numbering in double figures at Lennoxtown
79caps says:
17 October, 2011 at 12:58
‘I suggest David Hay could lurk in the background’
That’s the name that springs to mind.
Hard as nails, knows the ropes, and presumably doesn’t present a threat to Neil Lennon.
I don’t understand how this mentor would work.
Would he have the power to make neil change formation? Would he have the power to make on field tactical decisions? Would he have the power to make changes to first team players?
I think those three are the most important issues. If he doesn’t have the power to do things things then our fortunes won’t change.
If he does have that power, we may as well give him the top job.
On the other hand if Martin is available I’d be delighted for it to happen.
Afternoon Bhoys and Ghirls
Anyone know when that Craig Whyte documentary is on this week?
I’ve checked The Cartoon Network and Disney Junior but I can’t find it anywhere.
Its the kind of scenario usually implemented by a PLC to try and get someone to walk, by undermining his/her authority.
A mentor is not what is needed. A new strategy is required for the footballing side of the club. If the board are talking about a mentor surely that makes the case that the present strategy is totally and utterly inept por cierto.
Can I have a mentor for my CQN page formatting please? Its all over the place these days with no consistency. :-)
Won’t happen too late in the day for a mentor.
How about Patches O’Houlihan?
Pros: Experienced. Proven Winner.
Cons: Some of the players might get injured by wrenches. (thumbsup)
The many failings of the CEO and the board were highlighted on here over the weekend, but if anyone can watch that disgraceful first half performance and say that we don’t need to change the coaching set-up then they are in denial.
We all love Lenny and greatly admire his stance against the bigots and cowards who threatened him and his family, but we can’t ignore the evidence of our own eyes. Big Johann took cortisone injections so that he could keep playing for us. As a defender he was the epitomy of the word hero, but does he have a feckin clue how to organise a tight defense?
For me, Lenny gets more time because we owe him that, but some experience alongside him is required to take some of the pressure off his shoulders. Not someone who he thinks will be after his job, but a genuine assistant who has been there and done the lot. A Joe Jordan type, if you will.
We could do far worse than speaking to Steve Walford or Robbo at this time.
HH
TTTT
Joe Filippis Haircut
I have met BK (socially) on a couple of accasions and was aware that originally his girlfriend was denied a visa for entry to the UK, so we had the problem that I think you are alluding to, young man, foreign country, no friends or family, new language etc,etc, I was told the other week that the visa problems for his (now) wife are resolved and she will be joining him soon in Glasgow. In addition she has been accepted for Glasgow Uni to study dentistry. Good I thought once things settle down on the old domestic front we can get back to the serious business of playing football. I agree with others that his performance on Saturday is up there with the worst I have ever seen in a Celtic jersey, acting like some petulant, spoiled brat not getting their own way. What I am struggling with is when was this story “leaked” after saturday’s game ? If not I still find his performance inexcusable !!
confusedcsc
cavansam \o/,
It’s on QVC’s “under £1” special on Thursday night.
cavansam \o/ – Anyone know when that Craig Whyte documentary is on this week?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1268224/ (thumbsup)
8 months for the facebook bigot…
Will the meeja be doorstepping Asbestox asking intrusive questions to the remaining, beleaguered staff about the loss of legned ‘Greggy’ and the boardroom equivalent of D. Dodds?????
Embdy…
Marrakesh Express (13:00): “I know that Danny McGrains and Roy Aitkens dont grow on trees…”
Indeed they don’t, but they did grow in Scotland, and they understood the unique demands of playing in the Scottish league/climate/mudbaths/”stadia”/political & religious environment. Our current bunch of overseas “stars” don’t.
Many of the current bunch only came to Celtic because they thought it would be a fast track into the EPL… forgetting that they would need to be an absolute stand-out most weeks in the SPL to get the attention of even top half Championship teams in England. Only Izzie has really stepped up to the mark in this respect, and he is the one we would most like to keep.
Let’s have a few more Scottish & Irish players with a bit of steel, fire in their bellies and a feeling of pride at having the opportunity to play for our great sporting institution.
Jonh Robertson would be my choice.
blantyretim says:
17 October, 2011 at 13:07
Which one??
Paul67
Anyone in mind ?
Or is it a cry of despair ?
HH