NEIL LENNON has followed Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell in calling for unity.
The under-pressure manager also accused sections of the Hoops support of engaging in “dangerous rhetoric” after a ‘Shoot the Board’ banner was placed outside the stadium.
The Parkhead released a statement earlier this week, as reported by CQN, backing Lennon following the furious backlash from incensed supprters after only two wins in 12 games in a turbulent campaign that has seen the nine-in-a-row champions tumbled 13 points behind Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox outfit although they have two games in hand while exiting three tournament in three months – the Champions League, the Europa League and the Betfred League Cup.
Talking about the offensive banner, Lennon, speaking to Sky Sports News, said: “From some sections of the support it is dangerous rhetoric.
“What I will say is we all want the same thing. Those fans want success, the majority of our fans want success. The players and everybody here want the same thing.
“We don’t want any divisions. I understand the frustrations and the players are feeling that, as well.
“But we don’t like that kind of language or expression anywhere near the football stadium. It serves no purpose, really.”
Asked about the board’s vote of confidence although they have stated they will review the aituation in the new year, Lennon remarked: “I think it sort of settles everyone down. I know it settles the players down for sure.
“They are really happy about that, thankfully from my point of view.
“It’s full steam ahead. We just need to try to get some consistency and wins now.”
The club will finish bottom of their Europa League Group H no matter the result against Lille in Glasgow tomorrow night. They have already lost home and away to AC Milan and Sparta Prague, conceding 15 goals at the same time, while their solitary point came in the 2-2 draw in France.
Lennon has asked the fans to get behind his squad. He added: “I can’t speak on behalf of the supporters, but it’s a cultural thing at the moment. It’s a societal, modern-day thing.
“It’s not what we want. It doesn’t serve any purpose. It certainly doesn’t inspire anyone at the club to achieve great things.
“We all want unity. We have got that certainly from the football side of things and we just want the supporters to get behind the team, especially when they need it.
“That’s what the Celtic fans do. They’ve done that for as long as I’ve been here.
“When things have got tough they’ve got right behind the team and that’s what we’re looking for.”
