Neil Lennon is big and bad enough not to need any help from you or me, but he has a job on his hands. He will prepare a squad to face Hearts twice in the next eight days, which he acquired from Brendan Rodgers in February, and which Brendan largely acquired from Ronny Deila, which is wilting before our eyes.
Injuries abound, the latest, Scott Brown’s broken toe, symptomatic of this season. Brendan tied himself in all sorts of knots in August, revealing fewer of his intentions to you or me than to Moussa Dembele. Dedryck Boyata went on strike during the latter, and unsuccessful, stage of our Champions League qualification campaign. Then Moussa went so off message Brendan decided it was best for him to leave town.
Have you worked in an environment like this? I have not, but these are just the things we know about. I doubt it was an easy shift for Brendan to lift the squad as well as he did for the Europa League, League Cup and League campaign.
Then, to cap it all, Brendan turned on his heels a day before we were due to visit Tynecastle and four days before a Scottish Cup visit to Easter Road. You may have worked in an environment like this, but I doubt you have successfully managed one.
It was demeaning for Neil Lennon to have to defend himself this week. Not to himself, but to the goldfish who are so unaware of the environment or parameters he has worked in.
Celtic won their first treble the day I was born, but I was 34 before they won their third. No club has ever won Treble Trebles in a row. Celtic have never won three consecutive Scottish Cups. The measure of our current success is so great it is difficult to quantify.
In 1995 we finished fourth in the league, two points behind Hibs and three ahead of Falkirk. But we went to the Scottish Cup Final that season and won the most magnificent dreary game played. This is football. Success is neither easy nor linear and it is never entitled. Appreciate these times.
Bring lots of change with you on Sunday, this is your one and only chance to buy a Foundation VIII Badge!
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I share Melbourne Mick’s distaste for the portrayal of Neil Lennon over the past few days and the words used against this Celtic legend.
I have no problem with those who have concerns about his being the best choice as our next manager, none at all, since I share those doubts, but the argument against the appointment is not enhanced one bit by the vilification of Neil’s character. In fact, it detracts from it as it seems OTT.
The man, was and is, a lightning rod for every bigot in Modern Scotland. He has been attacked by a Hearts fan and an Aberdeen student, as well as several bigots from traditional sources. He suffered that on our behalf and deserves better than he is receiving at the moment. He is doing us a turn in getting our team through to the end of a challenging season of internal strife. I don’t much care if he does it with style and flair; I just care that he gets it done.
Next season’s appointment can wait until Neil and the Bhoys celebrate the league title win and, hopefully the Treble treble. He might then go with our backing and thanks.
But, even in the event that he is announced as next season’s manager, and that would not be my choice, I trust we will get behind him as he will be OUR manager, the manager of OUR club.
Any prolonged bickering and moaning about other preferences cannot serve our club well in its quest to strive for 9iar. Will we be disruptive and demonstrate because we do not like a manager and fear he is not up to the task of winning leagues? Even though he has a good record of having done so with us in the past? Who would that help?
Queen of the South v Raith on BBC Alba Sky 141…..
SUCCULENTLAMBSTINKS on 18TH MAY 2019 2:12 PM
Heard Lennon isn’t bothered about getting the job / possibly looking elsewhere because he’s allegedly been told the transfer kitty,or lack of it, will be buttons this summer.
———–
Did you hear it on…………………… Social Media perchance?
http://celticbynumberscom.ipage.com/sinclair-on-the-left-for-cup-final/
Lennon seems to favour Hayes over Sinclair. With the Cup Final looming does the performance data support the manager’s view?
Santa ponsa is cloudy ?
Life’s a bitch ?
Fairhill Bhoy 4.44pm
Caught your post from last night earlier, enjoy 8@row celebrations in the Celts Well …
8 @ row
My favourite ever Celt the Maestro number 8
Giving my current favourite Celt Broony number 8 the league flag
By the way Coatbrig is cloudier than the ponsa :-) ?
CelticbyNumbers
As shown brillantly in black and white, it should be Sinclair.
It will, however, be Hayes. Sadly.
It will also be a nervy afetrnoon.
Love yer work.
Fairhill 4:44
Go down to the square where all the pubs are, there’s a Celtic on there called the Hoops bar I think???
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 18TH MAY 2019 3:57 PM
Very well said.
Brendan Rodgers’ moonlight flit, gutting our backroom staff in the process, could have blown our season apart.
And probably would have, were it not for Neil Lennon. I will be eternally grateful to him for picking up the trickiest of salvage jobs and getting us over the line for 8.
Well, he got us over the line for 8, and we have a final next week.
What did people expect? He has had to pick up a confused and demoralised first team squad drilled in to someone else’s football philosophy, training regime, tactics. Some, at least, of whom were furious at the betrayal of their former boss.
So, a few nil-nils and a loss to the Hun Tribute Act in a meaningless game.
Neil Lennon has been a hero for us this season, IMO, irrespective of what happens next week.
And seeing him described on here as a muppet, a third-rate manager and Lawwell’s puppet is a fecking disgrace.
I’ve got my own thoughts about who should be in the chair for the forthcoming CL Qualifiers and season, but until the season ends I’ll keep them to myself.
Total respect to Neil Lennon.
GFTB,PB- been up the square today already,had a couple of coors ?
Now I’m away cos you’re not ment to be on here when you’re on holiday ?baw baw baw
SFTB,
I note you like many others ignore that the Plc had a clear uncontested shot at buying McGinn for over a month, BR’s first choice but the Plc did not rate the boy as highly as BR and refused to pay the asking price. Most men would take that as an insult regardless of their allegiances, if they are to be taken for granted before signing a contract why should they believe they would be treated better after signing.
Had they met the asking price AV would not have had the opportunity to offer £23,000 a week so that is moot, and fails to lay the blame where it belongs. Arrogant disrespect demonstrated by the Plc.
Maybe the reason Lenny might favour Jonny H over Sinky is that he can also defend which to be honest is not one of Sinky’s strengths
BIG WAVY on 18TH MAY 2019 4:07 PM
No I was told by a mate who sits next to the dear seats.
The only social media I read is on here.
OH and thanks to Canman,Chairbhoy and SFTB for restoring some sanity on here after one particular poster’s histrionics yesterday.
ClinkO
Neil’s worry about losing will prompt that sort of thinking which is what worries me.
We have superior attadking capabilities than them. Let’s put them on the back foot.
GREENINBINGLEYINOSLO
Turned the site to mud
How quickly the attention to the vermin songs last week has vanished. Why does the club not speak out about this ? If I was CEO of Celtic I would be publicly flogging that vermin crowd for their songbook last week.
Or is it only me it infuriates ?
Watched the Bayern trophy celebration. Thought it was a really nice touch to have club legends all wearing club blazers doing a guard of honour for the players. Nice to see the camaraderie between them and some of the long-standing players.
Chairbhoy
Now a month before John McGinn went to Aston Villa, he, Lenny and Brendan Rodgers all thought he was coming to Celtic… Fact.
John McGinn is on record as saying he wanted to go to Celtic. Celtic would not pay the asking price, John McGinn went to Aston Villa for £2.8M. I’d be surprised if they would sell him now for under ten…
These are internet facts which are different from actual facts …..
Re Ntcham , seems the sort of guy who picks and chooses his games to turn up , simple as that , nothing to do with summer transfer speculation.
Also the idea that 95% of companies have clear reporting lines and everyone knows what their doing and that somehow this leads to perfect harmony is fanciful in extreme.
If you are predisposed to the belief that somehow our own clubs executives are out for themselves then it follows in the mixed up world of Scottish football there is plenty of scope to reinforce that opinion.
Good to chat , all boards have their problems , I’m sure there are a few skeletons in the Celtic cupboard but against the background that our every move is in the full glare of wholly negative forces then you need to be careful of not getting caught up in the hysteria that all the guys in the suits all the time are tossers
HH
What’s the record score in an FA Cup Final. The English version?
Hope The Celts are watching Man City – going for it big time. No mercy. Our players should take heart, confidence, inspiration and realisation that they are as far ahead of the diets as MC are ahead of Watford.
CANAMALAR IT LOOKS LIKE OCD OBSESSIONon 18TH MAY 2019 5:09 PM
What was the askin price…official…?
DH
Jobo. 6-0
Jobo – Bury v Derby -1903
This FA Cup Final is not sports entertaiment. Unless you are a Citeh supporter.
Been flat hunting with Lhad in Leith today. Any hints on Tim freindly pubs and/ or areas to avoid? Thanks
Jobo – May be a new record created today. MC got another 2 minutes to score a 7th
Neil Lennon potentially saved our season by steadying the ship when the talented narcissist dropped us like a stone with two crucial games looming and a squad in the midst of an injury crisis. Some of the language used by Celtic supporters in describing this man, who has taken beatings and threats because of his association with us, has been appalling. He might not be number one choice, but give him the opportunity to lead us to a historic treble treble before bidding him farewell with our grateful thanks.
Well done City, always liked them since Bert Trautmann played in the cup final with a broken neck. They also had a manager in the 70s that worshiped the ground the Big Mhan walked on and their first ever cup winning manager was Tom Maley, brother of “Wullie Maley is his name”.
Nice tae see a player that sir furious didnae rate lifting the cup lol.
Canamalar
“SFTB,
I note you like many others ignore that the Plc had a clear uncontested shot at buying McGinn for over a month”
Don’t think I did – it was there in the phrase “a day late and a dollar short”.
Hibs did not have to sell him in that uncontested climate. They could afford to wait for the competition to hot up nearer the deadline.
Bids made are leaked, rumoured and reported but they are not Gospel. Neither you nor I know that Celtic did not make a bid close enough to the acceptable figure early enough or even whether it was the deciding factor. What did it matter to John McGinn what transfer Hibs got? Even if we were trying to get him cheaper, do you accept that we matched it late on?
If so, this cannot be the stumbling block for the player. As with many others, the wage on offer is much more likely to be a factor. And I don’t blame him for that. Or us.
Man City were majestic – football as it should be played fast and incisive. Watford totally outclassed but fair play to them for not resorting to trying to kick the city players off the park. That is what the difference will be with Celtic V the Diets. The diets will be set up to play a physical game and foul our players at every opportunity. No doubt assisted by match officials only too wiling to let them kick us with impunity.
HI GHUYS hope you are all okay cant talk about football at the minute, my mother in law has been rushed into hospital at lunchtime today she is 86 going on 87 now she is not of the catholic persuasion like me and you but she is a Christian and would not have anything said against us, she has always denounced mr paisley, I have come home from the hospital to feed the dugs there is nothing I can do anyway such a sad time my wife is distraught,hh.
I’ve got some family stuff going on at the moment, so it pisses me off to have to come on here, when I said I was taking the weekend, but some of what I’m reading is frankly absurd.
I’ve read legitimate criticism of Lennon on here. Legitimate criticism. That’s all. Those who are “disgusted” by it can be disgusted as they like. This our club we’re talking about here, and what’s best for it, and that takes precedence over how they feel about one man.
Neil Lennon did not “save our season.” It’s rot. He came in when we had a secure lead in the league, and were already in a cup quarter final. He got us through the two cup matches and we staggered over the finish line in the SPL campaign. To be frank, with the resources at his disposal and the fixture list he had, what he’s delivered is the bare minimum I would have expected.
I’ve held off on saying that before now out of respect for the man – believe that or not, I don’t care.
Lennon is a third rate manager. If Rodgers had left at the end of the season Lennon wouldn’t have been on anyone’s A list or B list. Nowhere near either. He has done nothing since leaving Parkhead which justifies his return, and certainly not as a replacement for arguably the best manager we’ve had since Stein.
Lennon came in and saved us? Really? You know what’s true? We saved Lennon. He had nowhere else to go and if Celtic cut him loose at the end of the season he will get his next job on the back of the opportunity we have given him. We’ve resurrected a career that might have died at Easter Road.
It is entirely legitimate to question the man’s methods of dealing with players. With his attitude towards training and sports science and all the other aspects of a major footballing operation, the kind we’ve built meticulously since he left the club because he got bored with the job.
Honestly, this blog in the last few weeks has resembled the Neil Lennon Supporters Club rather than a Celtic one. Whatever happened to “no man is bigger than the club”?
Is he the best we can get? No. Is he a top tier boss with innovative ideas? No.
Those arguing the case for him are doing it on the basis of “he’s one of us.” But you know what? These are the same people who are telling fellow Celtic fans that they’re traitors and sell-outs and unfit to wear the strip. So much for family. So much for loyalty. So much for community.
Take a goddamned look at what you’re doing.
And we’re the wreckers? Piss off with that.
Also good to see City bucking the trend and not playing a team full of 6′ plus players. Oul Pep obviously took that with him from Barca.
JM McCormick
Check out the Kings Wark, right on the water front – beautiful auld pub, gone a bit posh lately but a nice spot.
It was my local for a few years – never had a problem in Leith proper – Leith Walk can be a little tricky mind.
Enjoy
City,4 FPP investigations ongoing,a club doped up on petro dollars to buy trophies,a club used as a marketing opportunity for a country .That was embarrassing for English football
We all want what is best for Celtic. Surely we all have the right to express an opinion on who should get the managers job next season? It seems to me that by saying it should not be Neil Lennon it would make us “disloyal” or “disrespectful” of what the man has had to endure in his time with Celtic. You can admire his “bravery” without wanting him to get the job. IMHO he would be a backwards step and send a strong message to our enemies of our backwards direction of travel. Others have a different opinion which I respect totally……
I too find it appalling that so called Celtic supporters can call Neil Lennon derogatory names. As many have pointed out no one has suffered more for the Celtic cause. The tribulations he had to endure last time round were a disgrace.
I am very grateful that Neil has stepped into the breach and has delivered the League title by 9 points at the point of becoming Champions. I am hoping that he can deliver the Cup next week to make it another great season for us.
I have said previously that I think we need another person as manager but I will always be grateful to Neil Francis Lennon. I also think that if he delivers the Treble, he should be leaving the Club ( unless another role can be found for him) with a Lawwellesque type of bonus.
CONEYBHOY on 17TH MAY 2019 6:42 PM
Not sure why people are so anti Moyes. Managed 2 big clubs with varying success and knows the modern game and how to deal with well paid players. I can’t see any evidence that he is a boring coach
*The manure, after replacing a legend, job is truly a poisoned chalice as could have ours had it not been someone of the calibre of Big Billy when replacing Jock, or even WGS replacing MON.
When Sir Matt retired his successor, who he recommended, was former player Wilf McGuiness.
Wilf was one of Sir Matt’s most promising Babes and by his 18th birthday had already won a League medal.
A fortuitous injury caused him to miss the Munich trip and the following season a broken leg resulted in his playing career ending at the age of 22 just after he had been capped twice by the national side.
He joined the coaching staff and rose through the ranks to assistant manager to Sir Matt; he was in that role when they succeeded us in the Big Cup, and then the “big job”, at the age of 31, when the latter retired.
18 month later after a time of transition and only 3 cup semis tae boast of he was demoted back tae the reserves with Sir Matt taking over again in an interim basis, he also suffered a nervous breakdown and his hair fell out, he eventually left the club 6 months later.
Next up, again at the recommendation of Sir Matt, was Frank O’Farrell signing a 5 year contract, 3 years after manure had won the Big Cup.
Despite signing Martin Buchan (club record fee), Ian Storey-Moore, Wynn Davies and Ted McDougall he only lasted 18 months the club ending once again in 8th place and winning eff all.
He was replaced by Tommy Docherty who was poached from the Scotland position, not my favourite person for his sneakily enticing skip tae ma lou away fae us, thereby IMHO, causing the demise of the quality street gang.
As soon as wee Macari intimated he wanted to leave Jock called up his old friend Shanks who had him down for talks, it looked as if he was bound for there as the local msm had the headline Liverpool Lou already in place when Bill shocked everyone saying the lad had his mind set for elsewhere and a few days later he signed on at OT.
One good aspect about the Doc’s Scotland appointment though was his getting rid of the old guard, grieg, mckinnon etc and bringing in the likes of Alec Cropley, Kenny and much to our later disdain Macari.
However, apart fae having manure relegated the only honours he had with them were 2nd Division champions and after losing the FA Cup Final tae Southampton they denied Liverpool a treble in the same tournament.
Shortly afterwards, news that Doc was having an extramarital affair with the wife of a manure physiotherapist, Laurie Brown, became public, he was, rightly or wrongly, sacked in a blaze of publicity, he to this day still holds the club in contempt.
Doc was replaced at OT by the same man who had replaced him at Chelsea, Dave Sexton. All he had to show for his 4 years was a shared Charity Shield trophy and 2nd in the League but after finishing the dreaded 8th again he was holy ghost.
In came the flamboyant Ron Atkinson his two FA Cup wins and five successive top four league finishes had made him more successful than any manager at manure since Sir Matt, but the pressure to build on the earlier successes was becoming more intense than ever, he was dismissed as manager two days after a 4–1 exit at the hands of Southampton in the League Cup when manure were still in the bottom four of the First Division with a third of the season already gone.
So sir furious was sought out and although his CV is excellent he was almost sugar lumped, following a run of seven games without a win manure were drawn away to Forest in the third round of the FA Cup.
Forest were performing well that season and were in the process of winning the League Cup for the second season running, and it was expected that United would lose the match and sir furious would consequently be sacked.
But thanks tae a Mark Robins goal they eventually reached the final. This cup win is often cited as the match that saved ferguson’s OT career.
United went on to win the FA Cup, beating Crystal Palace 1–0 in the final replay after a 3–3 draw in the first match, giving ferguson his first major trophy as manure manager and the rest is history.
He also took them tae their first title in 26 years going through 5 managers en-route.
So how does Davie Moyes who has a better english cv than clodagh top that, he doesn’t, and neither did Louis van Gaal or the pretentious one and yet there are Celtic supporters out there salivating at the thought of the latter arriving at Lennoxtown, no this wee mhan as he’s a dinosaur.
Now I’m no advocating Davies appointment, personally I would prefer Rafa however, if he gets it he’ll like other Celtic managers, including the wee Largs scheitd or “take it on the chin”, have my absolute support.
He might have been here a couple of years back as on mogga getting the bums rush Davie intimated he would be interest in taking the job, aye that’s right leaving the EPL for Celtic, but did not put his name forward and NFL was appointed instead.
Later on that summer he was linked with the Villa job after MON jacked it in, he dismissed the speculation and a couple of years later manure appeared on the horizon, was he tapped hmmm as is often said on here.
Davie has considerable EPL experience, Spanish tae, and like Lenny has seen his side win against Barca, he has won the LMA Manager of the Year Award, which is voted by fellow managers, 3 times, and is also an executive on the League Managers Association.
At least with Davie we’ll no suffer any humiliations in Europe and as I previously stated he has a comparable english cv tae clodagh, in fact he actually won a title down there.
So for me better to have an honest pro like big Davie than a narcissistic Liverpool flop and by that I don’t mean Rafa.