“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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“”Lennon hopes to use comeback as springboard to save Celtic’s season”” – Oh pawleeeeeeeease.
“”Celtic will continue to take a close look at James McFadden this week”” – No doubt.
mickus dickus says:
17 October, 2011 at 20:56
pogmathonyahun says:
17 October, 2011 at 20:44
I didn’t think I’d be subject to that but thats me christened
pog your a twat
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I didn’t realise you knew me that well. Did we go to school together? If we did you’ll remember doing the Hokey Cokey at the (RC) school Christmas party =);-).
Get a life man.
Barcabhoy
I may be wrong and apologise in advance if I am but was it not your goodself on here a couple of days ago going tonto at auldheid? Pot, kettle?
The Battered Bunnet says:
17 October, 2011 at 21:14
Barcabhoy
I understand that foaming at moths was outlawed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.”
I hear it may be included as a trial sport for the 2016 Olympics ! Scotland should get a few medals
Kojo says:
17 October, 2011 at 21:15
He runs a large chain of bakeries!!
Paul67, there is a text at 20.56 needs the chop as well.
Barcabhoy says:
17 October, 2011 at 21:10
Thank you for your most magnanimous words regarding John Greig.
Today is a sad day for Rangers supporters of my age and a sharp warning, too easily ignored by many, of the future agenda of Mr Craig Whyte.
Unfortunately we have dullards across the divide who do not appreciate the fantastic characters or players who have been proud to wear the colours of both teams.
Respect to you.
Paul67
What language?
Kojo
Ex GA captain, manager and voted Ga player of all time
Mtt
All this talk of Greig reminds me of one of the the biggest differences between our teams.
Our Greatest Player Jinky – Skill, the beautiful game, bravery under severe punishment – playing football the Glasgow Celtic Way.
Their Greatest Player Greig – Breaking Bobby’s leg – coward, general thuggery, Masonic referees – playing football the Hun cheating baskets way
Paul67
Glad your around can I humbly ask for the removal of the fag adverts for a period of 7 days until I get through the worst of my withdrawal symptoms? I could avoid the site but then I would have double withdrawal symptoms.
Yours faithfully,
Celtic Lennon
Yes,it is somewhat concerning that our Under19s have embarrassed Man City,on their own ground.
The Man City squad are very highly regarded,and we run the risk of losing our bright young players.
Hope that Watt and George are included in the squad for Rennes..and Twardzik to start at LB.
Looks like we’ll need to stretch the full resources of our squad this season,particularly if we face an extra two games against a reprieved Sion.
So we’ll need our youngsters…get them blooded now,Lennie ! Remember what a boost Aiden received playing against AC.
Anyone standing up for the “thuggish” Greig on this site tonight needs to take a long hard look at themselves.
Philboy
Have you been a naughty Bhoy???? ;D
Paul
Good article :) Think I started a discussion the other night if being a Celtic fan can affect performance, good to see your point of view :)
To all
What do you make of McFadden going to Everton? Good, bad, not really bothered?
HH
celtic *o* lennon says:
17 October, 2011 at 21:16
Barcabhoy
I may be wrong and apologise in advance if I am but was it not your goodself on here a couple of days ago going tonto at auldheid? Pot, kettle?”
I dont remember ever calling anyone a Hun on here, especially anyone who is as clearly Celtic minded as Auldheid.
I did criticise Auldheid, for his, as I see it , support for the boards failures. This came after some pretty strong criticism from Auldheid over my ethics. That was a ridiculous statement for him to make, however it doesnt mean i scroll by his posts, as many of them are valid and informative
My dear,dear,dear,dear,friend.. MicktheTick @ 21.19
Thanks,pally.
He wus eethur before Ma time or..
Efter Ma Time..
But, wherever he wiz.. Ah nevah Hoid o’ Him
Kojo
Yer pal..who thinks ye are a gentleman and a rocket Scientist.
Enjoy
http://youtu.be/vD1G6UPiREA
J*hn Gr*ig was a happy passenger on the long bus journey that brought him to his current destination.
roon ye, ye orc
The Battered Bunnet…….”CLUTZ”……..BRILLIANT…!!!
Auldheid,
I believe you have the right of it with regard to Jeanette Findlay. (Sorry to be keep this going.) I had the feeling at the time that she hesitated before putting the matter to the vote. I was never sure why. I just wished she hadn’t gone ahead with it.
Barcabhoy,
You may well be right about Greig in real life. But he most certainly epitomised everything wrong with them on the football field. His breaking Bobby Lennox was only one of a thousand such tackles, which, because of who he was and who played for, allowed him the freedom to behave like a thug. More than once he tried to put Jinky into the stand. I have no respect for him and can’t see that ever changing. To me, he embodies everything that is wrong there.
Paul, late to the party.
Now if you mean Neil should be serving out an apprenticeship under an experienced and successful manager; couldn’t agree more.
If you mean a more phone calls to Mr Baxter on the other hand…
I have had a post deleted for language.
What did i say?
I feel Like Lloyd Bridges in Airplane:-
“Looks like I picked the wrong day to make a plea for Celtic fan unity”
The Singing Detective
Good point, likewise the boost Forrest got when playing regularly for Lenny. Hoping the likes of George, Keatings and Twarzdik can push on now
HH
We must keep Lennon – I am in no way saying I am not worried by his apparent lack of ‘learning from his mistakes’, but think the way for us to build a successful squad is to keep a bit of consistency, as since O’Neill left in 2006, our turnover of manager has severely affected the massive number of signings, which I think is a big part of our current problem.
You cant tell from one game to the next who will be played, I can understand Lennon’s reluctance to pick players who he doesnt think are firing on all cylinders, but when his replacements form is too in doubt – surely from now on you stick by a pretty much pre decided unit. Thats how good teams get to be good. By no means just through having good players, often teams backed into a corner through lack of finance to have other options (see Walter Smith’s Rangers), can become a successful unit. We have too many options. Too many players who ‘could’ do a job. But frankly, too many of them, just aren’t.
It doesnt seem how much we spend, or how many we bring in, our centre halves are unable to attack the ball with the level of aggression and certainty that other teams even in lower leagues have no problem doing. Majstorovic gets more than his fair share of criticism in my view, as he can at least attack the ball. At times, his mobility and decision making leaves him unable to do little else. However, loads of other teams have centre halves who are just in their for their steel, aggression, and presence, and the balance of their backline is such that the other players do their bit and cover in behind when needed.
Loovens, Hooiveld, Rogne, Wilson, all brought in and showed even glimpses of promise, but are unable to sustain any kind of meaningful partnership. And in all honesty, Mulgrew has done well individually at times, his desire and qualities cant be questioned in the most part, but even he has struggled to secure a consistent back line for us.
It’s not only defence where the balance is wrong. The formation worked last season, we were taking our width from our full backs, the midfield drifting inside to get on the ball seemed fluent, going were need be, fighting for each ball. Without Izzaguire, Wilson (or the other right backs) have tended to sit deeper to protect their defence, and neither side has overlapped, leaving Commons looking a very average player – not given the tools to go and win the match. This season only Ki has kept a good standard (though only shows what he really can do, when the tempo is upped, while seeming unable to dictate the tempo being upped), but all other midfielders have fallen by the wayside. Fitness, suspension, or just plain form – we have been disjointed and out of confidence. I think Wanyama should be used to help us build balance and confidence again. Works hard off the ball, and keeps it simple on it – need to find the other players to use effectively with them. I know Forrest has ability, but changing strike partnerships, and underperforming midfield hasnt helped him use his skills in the right area, and often finds most joy dribbling across the pitch, and unable to create the goalscoring opputunity for either himself or others that his work should be deserving. A more experience player would have been best served given whats been around him, keeping wide, and allowing us to open the game up, rather than to narrow the space by running towards players (when no one else is helping to take them away). Our lack of use of McCourt has been again, truely baffling.
Kayal’s attitude on the park has been poor. Last season he was excellent. The type of player I thought we wouldnt see for Celtic again. Could do it all. Brilliant off the ball, intelligent, composed, and able on it. He looked so gifted, yet still hungry. The perfect personification of what it looked like Lennon was building. But this season, be it contract dispute or lack of form, his intelligence has turned to frustration, composure turned to lazyness, and his ability has turned to arrogance. I dont agree with how he has been offered contract, for me I would have liked to have seen Celtic say – it’s not the time for contracts at this point for either party, lets concentrate on form and we can sort that out at Christmas. Looks like he has got what he wanted because we werent sure how best to deal with it. Giving him all the cards, then going all in. Lets hope he throws a few aces our way for the rest of the season, and maybe it’ll work out for the best. We’ll see.
The players just arent helping themselves or the manager. And yes i want more from Lennon, i want to see him put out a more settled, secure, and balanced team, but the manager essentially is looking for our big players to stand up and be counted. But who exactly are these big players?
We need the players to fight out of this current slump. They need to take responsibility for their part in the poor form, they need to right their own wrongs for us to make progress. I am not aware of many managers who would be interested in coming to Celtic that I would be happier came in and did this without setting us back again. As if there were, I have little doubt they would have gotten the job ahead of Lennon (and even Mowbray), as it was touted to all and sundry to see what interest we got back. The fact the Mark McGhee didnt want it – still deeply troubles me. I just don’t think a new man coming in and starting again would be the solution. One minute we are all Neil Lennon – the next minute we don’t want to know. Not good enough from the Celtic support for me. If by summer we still have the same concerns and progress isnt deemed ‘enough’, by all means re-evaluate then. But not now.
We’ve got ‘our’ man, let’s stick by him
Barcabhoy,
that should have read: Bobby Lennox’ leg.
If a sheikh consortium/mega rich bar steward (not in the someone else’s money Craig Whyte way) came to buy the club, I wonder how we’d all feel if they guaranteed 60 million for new players after we’ve been humiliated by killie.
I have fond memories of the great John greig, his failure to win the league in 5 years being my favourite
Philbhoy..are u on the naughty step?…have a wee glenkinchie when you are there hh :)))
jackie mac says:
17 October, 2011 at 21:28
If a sheikh consortium/mega rich bar steward (not in the someone else’s money Craig Whyte way) came to buy the club, I wonder how we’d all feel if they guaranteed 60 million for new players after we’ve been humiliated by killie.
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What’s your point ?
Brilliant piece Michael
Paddy G at 21.14
I thought that. Memory loss hasn’t set in yet.
johan murdoch
What did i say that wasa deleted?
I did bot use foul language!
Unless barcabhoy and the site owner are pals.
Patrick27 says:
17 October, 2011 at 21:31
Brilliant piece Michael
What was on the piece, cold meat, cheese??? :-)
Beram Kayal = Eyal Berkovic?
Jackie mac
60 mill? PL would buy about 150 players with that and still have change for his deferred bonus pot!
Sorry ma dear dear pal Kojo
fur
that wan liner before.
;-)
paul67
You have not answered my post.
Why was my post deleted?
I did not use foul or abusive language.