CHRIS SUTTON has recalled the moment he realised his friendship with Neil Lennon had become fractured.
A divide appeared between the former Celtic team-mates and good pals following comments made by the ex-striker during the latter stages of the Northern Irishman’s second stint as the club’s manager.
The Hoops had just been turned over 4-1 by Sparta Prague at Parkhead in an appalling performance in the Europa League, a history-making third consecutive defeat at home at this level.
It was yet another unacceptable display and outcome as the team lurched through a disastrous campaign that saw Lennon removed in February last year following a 1-0 league loss against relegation-threatened Ross County in Dingwall.
FRANKLY SPEAKING…Chris Sutton tells it like it is to BT Sport.
It was in the midst of the Covid turmoil and the team could not respond to empty stadiums during lockdown. Other sides adapted, but the Hoops failed to react to being without what Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld always insisted was “their twelfth man”.
Asked if he found it difficult to admit that Lennon’s reign was in jeopardy after the loss to the Czech side on November 5 2020, Sutton, speaking to BT Sport, replied: “It wasn’t difficult.
“You can only say what is in front of you, but there’s always that nagging feeling in the stomach.
“Neil was a great mate of mine. We played together for four years at Celtic, I used to sit next to him in the dressing room. My wife chats to Neil’s wife.
“For example, when my son James was born at 28 weeks, Neil came in the next morning to visit my wife and little James, who wasn’t well. He showed great support in that particular time.
“We used to go out together as team-mates, as a lot of us did. That particular team was a band of brothers. I’ve spoken to Neil about this. Neil was a broadcaster, as well, and a really good broadcaster. I think he understands the game in that respect. He will be critical of managers and players.”
HEADING FOR THE EXIT…Neil Lennon walks off after the 1-0 loss to Ross County in Dingwall in February 2021, his last game in charge of Celtic.
The former Hoops goal ace added: “He wasn’t happy with me and he made that very clear. We walked down after the match and had to leave through a certain exit due to Covid and as we were walking down, Neil had turned the corner to walk up. I said: ‘Alright Neil?’ and he said nothing.
“From Neil’s point of view, I totally got that because of the pressure. He was the Celtic manager and those Covid times were an absolute nightmare to manage in, because of the way the crowd can really lift the team.
“But the performances at that particular time weren’t there. Now time has healed things a little bit and everybody realises what a brilliant servant he was.
“He might look back in years to come and think that actually I was right. But knowing Neil….”
* Chris Sutton was talking to Darrell Currie for ‘Currie Club’ on BT Sport in association with the Daily Record.
