Neil Lennon ‘got’ Celtic. He was a rookie appointment, and the early weeks were far from comfortable, a Hampden defeat to Ross County looked like an ominous early sign, but from the start of his first preseason he didn’t look back.
He was a hugely successful Celtic manager in Scotland and in Europe. The Barcelona team of the last six years, possibly the greatest team in history, were at their peak when they visited Celtic Park in November 2012. Neil came up with the game plan which brought Celtic victory and raised our profile across Europe.
What he had to endure off-field during his time at Celtic was atrocious and a blight on our society. But he overcame it. He stuck it out when you or I may have left, and now he leaves on his own terms – an undisputed winner.
More at another time on who next, but if we get a man nearly as capable we will be doing well.
Take care, Neil.
1,817 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- »
Over the years we’ve done pretty well out of our Rang#rs supportin’ hoopslegends.
In fact some of them have contributed a lot more than some of their badge kissin’, sign of the ole Cross makin’ team mates.
So whoever the Board appoint [and their track record in this area is not brilliant] will get my 100% support, until the next Celtic manager comes along.
Will the Circle be unbroken?
Anybody think Henrik would take an assistants role at Celtic to learn the ropes before stepping up would tick a lot of boxes with Malky as boss
24 hour later. New century MON brought back the glory, WGS took us to the top table and NL gave us back the Thunder. Looking forward to the next great chapter in the Celtic story. Magic. Neil Lennon, more than anyone I can think of, epitomises Celtic. A true bhoy, one of us, the best of us, fearless. Legend. At first I thought what the? Now I can see how this is a good time for Neil Lennon to take a bow. Wish it lasted longer but the party is not over. I wish Neil Lennon and his family all the very best of everything. Thanks for everything Neil, brilliant mate. Neil Lennon would never do anything that would harm Celtic, this is not an spur of the moment decision. Think about it before listening to the rags or those who hate us. Keep the faith bhoys and ghirls. The Sun comes out after the Thunder. This is Celtics time.
TONYG
11:20 on
23 May, 2014
I don’t think HL would take an assistants role given that he’s already been the manager of two clubs.
I think if anyone gets an assistants role with a view to stepping up in the future that man should be john Kennedy.
Didn’t want Neil as manager, I was wrong.
Don’t want Henrik as manager, if it is him I hope he proves me wrong again.
BT
I thought that was you on the right of the picture!
You’re lookin’ great by the way!
:-)
The left of the picture!!
Back te work!
Mackay was roundly traduced on these here pages …wonder how he’ll be received
Larsson …brilliant player ..the very best player …manager ?….. Because he was a great player …hhhmmmm,
Philbhoy
the big cup has lugs like me….8))
Heading into town to get euros for mini, she is off to Dublin to see a bhoy band Sunday.
* gordon_j backing neil lennon
11:01 on 23 May, 2014
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy,
To be fair, Spiers was very strong on the abuse Neil suffered and what it says about Scotland. Matt McGlone came across as a conspiracy theorist to me. Everything he answered seemed to imply that dark forces were at work and nothing was as it seemed.
………………………………….
We obviously have interpreted it differently. I don’t think Matt was being too much of a conspiracy theorist when he attributed Neil’s appaling treatment in Scotland to the favt that he is an Irish Catholic emloyed by Celtic.
Speirs did say more or less the same thing but I feel he always has to qualify it in some way. He talked about Neil as if he was some sort of tough guy who took no crap from anyone as if he was able to handle all this trouble that comes his way.
To be honest, my opinion of Speirs may well be jaundiced. I can’t forgive him for his performance on SSB on the night after the Shame Game. Jim Delahunt introduced the programme, highlighted events that took place the evening before and then asked the panel for their thoughts. Speirs immediately got the chat going with, “What on earth got into Neil Lennon last night.” He then proceeded to gloss over Sleekit McCoist’s role in the proceedings and to present Neil as some sort of snarling demon. He’s another whose on my grudge list.
Did I ever tell you about my feelings towards Athletico Madrid? :-)
BRTH,wrote,
Last week, Tommy Gemmell was left hugely angry at the Daily Record serialisation of his book when that serialisation slanted his book in one direction by completely ignoring the main thrust of the book — it’s title, it’s tone, it’s content and so on.
The press in this country, in certain respects and in certain areas, is pathetic at best and disgraceful by habit.
Last week many were angry that some on here were angry at the TG fiasco.This is what this scum SMSM do.I was angry that we acted like “Innocents abroad”in the matter.We know what they are like,yet we seemed to give them a free reign on what they printed.
To think they would not go for anything salacious and instead print Lisbon memories,or feelgood stories from the book,was,at best,too trusting.
Stay away from them.They are not our friends.Give them nothing.Ex players who give them the soundbites that they crave should be shunned by every Celtic fan.I dont mean TG in this.I mean Walker,Macca,Provan,Mc Garvey,and their like.
Good luck and many thanks to Neil Lennon. The board took a flyer on him at what was a desperate time for us and it worked. The 2012/13 European exploits went way beyond what anyone could have asked for.
No doubt that in 13/14 a glass ceiling was reached and we now need to rebuild. From 12/13 Samaras has gone, Hooper gone, Ledley gone, Wilson gone, Wanyama gone. A lot of European experience – and goalscoring capability at CL level for Celtic – gone.
The challenge now is to get the right man appointed, to get him appointed quickly, and to get a few quality players in that we need to get through the CL qualifiers. Three tough asks, supplemented by a fourth task – to ship on the dead wood that is aimlessly drifting at the club and contributing nothing (Boerigter, Kayal etc).
Hard enough to do this is any season, let alone a World Cup season where some of our key players are involved and when summer transfers normally don`t start until late in the day until after the World Cup is over.
Hopefully the board are advanced with preparations on all fronts. The draw for CL qualifying Round 2 is in 4 weeks and we are in CL action in 7 weeks. Add in the Murrayfield factor and once again we walk a tightrope in terms of CL qualification.
Winning Captains I would like to buy TGs book with message for son’s birthday. Can you email and I shall respond.
I have a very good photo of TG directing traffic on the Square in Malin Head. I had delayed him Bertie, and Stuart Kerr to have a few photos with Minister. They were rushing to the airport after big Celtic function. I am always in admiration of the Lisbon Lions but also lads like Stewart Kerr who attend all these functions.
Well done on book, sympathies re. DC. KTF
Gordon_J,
I thought much the same as yourself, about the 2 you mention. Waddell disgusted me and Frank McGarvey disappointed me but STV itself sickened me by those they chose to appear. I hope Neil Lennon writes about his life here and why he was treated as he was. I hope he tells it as it is and the role the media played in portraying him as they have. I would love it if he were to finally tell us what that wee reprobate who manages the undead said to him that infamous night.
ernie
if i can answer for UMcG.
the announcement was not going to be made until later today
or saturday.
hence the late official posting.
re: henrik
i dont get the negativity. why does everyone think he’d flop?
he was the greatest player in my lifetime watching celtic.
I would love him to be the greatest manager in my lifetime watching
celtic too, now wouldnt that be an achievement.
BBC.highlights of NFC at CELTIC.
THEY SHOW
MORE GOALS SCORED AGAINST THAN SCORED FOR.
NO GOALS AGAINST THE DEID MOB OR BARCA.WHIT DIS A LISC COST AGAIN.
Parkheadcumsalford
11:39 on 23 May, 2014
‘I would love it if he were to finally tell us what that wee reprobate who manages the undead said to him that infamous night.’
###
It was something about the players, apparently.
taurangabhoy
11:20 on 23 May, 2014
FANTASTIC post…..and oldco died too…… this is, indeed, ‘OUR DAY’ …… Hail Hail to you, sir
Apparently Steve Clarke was at Celtic Park last week.
That’s the news from auld LB.
LB
favourite uncle
11:40 on 23 May, 2014
Bless them……!!!!!!!!
cathach
11:37 on 23 May, 2014
Twice in two days…hope you are well mate.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
rt rev david hay
11:39 on 23 May, 2014
‘ernie
if i can answer for UMcG.
the announcement was not going to be made until later today
or saturday.’
####
Would that timetable be related to season ticket deadlines?
Awe Naw
Fair enough, I will take it that you do mean me then so I will answer the board worshipping jibe before going out for the day.
Now, I don’t mean anything personal by this, but the jibe itself is ill researched, ill conceived, poorly thought through and to be honest smacks of……. well I call it keyboard cowardice to be honest.
I have never met you, never spoken to you, never written to you by e-mail or had any communication other than through here.
I wouldn’t know you from Adam, nor would I presume to guess your views on any matter.
So– on what do you base the term board worshipper?
Do I advocate boycotts repeatedly? No I don’t?
Do I think the board are always wrong? No I don’t
Do I think the board are always correct? Certainly not.
Do I think constantly debating what the board do or do not do on here will make a rats arse of a difference to what that board do or think? No I don’t — though I know someone looks in to gauge the mood.
Am I regularly at Celtic Park for confabs with PL or someone else? No I am not — met PL once in the company of your brother ( more on whom later )
Have I contacted Celtic privately on any matters away from this blog? Yes I have — and strangely they were not letters of congratulations or invitations for tea.
Were they letters where I question what Celtic PLC do on a business front, a PR front, or other front.? Yes they are.
Were the letters critical? Well if not critical they asked that the Board look at various things and consider dropping the strategy they have and adopt a different one.
I will also admit to suggesting different routes and strategies based on professional advice, research, and articles from various places backing up my argument.
Do I expect Celtic PLC to listen to me? Not at all — but amazingly they seem prepared to.
Do I get anything out of such correspondence? Being blunt– Nah — Celtic get the benefit of my wisdom ( laughs ) for nothing — others I charge for the same service.
Now, quite separate to all that, if you search back somewhere on this blog going back years you will find posts from me where I state openly that I do not agree with there being a PLC at all.
I recall saying openly that I refused to buy shares when Fergus McCann made them available for sale. Some fans took me to task for that saying where was I in the time of need when the club needed money. The answer is standing with my cash in hand — I just didn’t want shares in return as I don’t believe in the PLC model.
With that model, you are one man’s whim away from the situation at Rangers should that man be a rich man with the ability to buy up a majority shareholding.
Further, with the greatest respect to Fergus, my belief, faith and dreams in the good ship Celtic were not his ( or anyone else’s) to sell.
So, I am not a fan of the PLC, the model, and by extension the very existence of the board.
Someone has to manage the entity and I have no doubt it is not an easy job.
Do the current lot do it well?
For me the answer is both yes and no.
The very existence of the PLC structure dictates that the board, by law, has a duty to the shareholders before any duty to the fan or their aspirations.
Whilst, I appreciate that may be viewed as a rather academic argument, it is one I feel deeply. It is an inevitable daily problem for management. Hence there is a constant conflict of interest.
Against all that background– Are we being played on Res 12?
My involvement in Res 12 is mostly to try and bring a focus and a sharp point to what the resolution seeks to achieve. To do that you have to cut the waffle, the bullshit, the niceties and frame a selected tactically thought through approach and set of questions to put to Celtic and through them the SFA.
Remember, Celtic were never the target of the resolution — just the means to get to the target.
Along the way it was necessary to establish if Celtic ( or more appropriately the board you despise so much ) had sat on their arse and done nothing for two years.
It became plain that this was not the case but that they could do more going forward especially if we furnished them with factual ammunition and to be honest — a little blunt guile.
Have Celtic adopted our suggestions? Yep it appears so.
Have Celtic already used Res 12 to force changes within the SFA? I believe so.
Are we being played on Res 12? I don’t believe so.
Is it possible that we are being played on Res 12? Of course it is. – Never trust anyone in business unless you know them really well, get everything in writing or suffer the consequences.
Is there a far better dialogue and line of communication with the club/board since Res 12– yes I believe there is.
Could it be better? yes it could.
Could the Board do more in terms of the team on the park? For me– yes they could.
Will they? Hmmm going forward I think they have to personally as otherwise they will not retain their fanbase.
Do the PLC do all they should to retain the fanbase? Not in a million years?
Am I pain in the arse at a meeting? Dunno– ask others.
What I will say, is that while you sit there at your keyboard in Germany, I have witnessed your brother Morrisey 23rd be subjected to the most vile, bitter, twisted and to be honest disgusting bile from fellow Celtic fans for even being involved in Res 12.
I have seen public posts elsewhere relating to his personal business and relationships. I have seen him accused of benefiting financially out of Res 12, of being given corporate hospitality by the club, of being wined and dined, and of being blinded by the great big green and white headlights.
To be honest he should sue the people concerned if only to shut them up!
The parties concerned have never been to any meetings, given up their time, paid their bus fares etc to get into Celtic park or whatever to try and make any semblance of a difference. Yet they criticise from a point of no knowledge, no imput and no effort.
I am no worshipper of the board, I am no hater of the board– but those who constantly whine, moan, belittle, criticise, agitate and resort to personal attacks from the privacy and security of the bedroom in 140 characters or less are cowards and charlatans of the lowest order.
Debate and discussion is brilliant — it is why I used to do the job I did before I got fed up with it — but it has to have substance and integrity.
By the way the criticism etc doesn’t come to me or Canamalar — just to Hugh and recently to Auldheid to a lesser extent– and I think that is shocking. Really Bad.
Do I believe the PR statements from the board and NL about his departure? No I don’t.
So — sorry but I take exception to your “Board worshipper” drive — exception is different to offence by the way — and I say that such rhetoric is beneath you and not worthy of your obvious intellect.
You are better than that and have better points to make.
Sorry for the long answer but I off out to a rather long liquid lunch with an old friend.
lastly I will ask and answer a further question.
Q Are you a wind up merchant?
A. Others might well think that, but I couldn’t possibly comment!
;-0)
HH
BRTH
Rev
i dont get the negativity. why does everyone think he’d flop?
he was the greatest player in my lifetime watching celtic.
I would love him to be the greatest manager in my lifetime watching
celtic too, now wouldnt that be an achievement.
I don’t think people will think he will certainly flop, I think the concern is that great players don’t always make great managers. Henrik was something special I think we are frightened that if he blew it as manager it would take a shine from his Celtic career…. Although player/ manager that’s different
yorkbhoy
11:26 on 23 May, 2014
Perhaps Henrik would accept coming back home as Assistant Manager, then eventual Manager…?
11 o’clock tic tock
A wee statement from Neil Lennon. Brief and lacking detail.
5 to 6 hours of hop skipping and jumping. Nothing from the magical PR of celtic FC.
Awe Naw he didnae just dae that did he. Get him oan the blower.
hey Neil. See this resignation thing. Wee clause in your contract there buddy re. what and what you cant’ say.
Awe right. i know that. did you know see my statement. Said nothing me.
how about a sweetner though Neil. how about a wee bit saying you like all us and that your gonna help us sign the next manager.
Awe negotiations. I’m liking that. Go for it.
Deal
Deal.
Right. We are on the same page. Solicitors sorted.
Right PR get it oot there.
Support shafted.
None so blind as them who don’t want tae see.
MWD says Aye
I think there is a lot of nonsense talked about experience for the new manager. You either are a leader or your not and can transfer that philosophy to your team. The Celtic manager absolutely needs to have a connection with the fans. Our club often makes strides on the back of a swell of emotion behind the team and manager. It drives them on and often gets them past the finish line. With a suitable team Henrik would do well as manager. For me ticks all the boxes in terms of box office, support, skill and leadership, will just need the right team to support and advise him where needed. David Hay could do that. MON recognised there were things he could do well and some less so. So he created a team to assist him.
IMHO
yorkbhoy
11:26 on 23 May, 2014
What an inspiration Henrik would be …… Full stadium / thunder etc. …….yeeha
rt rev david hay
11:39 on 23 May, 2014
re: henrik
i dont get the negativity. why does everyone think he’d flop?
he was the greatest player in my lifetime watching celtic.
I would love him to be the greatest manager in my lifetime watching
celtic too, now wouldnt that be an achievement.
————————————————————————–
Henrik’s record in management so far is far from impressive and I would like to remember him as a legendary player. When Neil was appointed many stated it was the cheap option. There some truth in that, but more worryingly – it was a risk. I think the role of manager is an important one and I’d rather we took less of a risk. Henrik represents a greater risk (in my view) than someone with a decent managerial record at bigger clubs. All that said, if he is chosen he will get my FULL support – just as when Neil was manager.
Parkheadcumsalford,
Waddell didn’t surprise me at all; we know what he is. Frank was disappointing, he seemed intent on not being too controversial and came across as weak.
I would love Neil to write about his experience over the past four years. If you’re reading Neil, and looking for a ghost writer, Paul has my e-mail address!!
Pretty decent effort from The Scotsman today:
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/comment-lennon-and-celtic-at-odds-over-transfers-1-3420282
Flight to Lisbon scheduled at 11.00 has not departed yet according to Glasgow Airport web site.
An end of an era with Neil
With possible tough qualifiers coming up in CL and losing our home advantage and reducing our team last close season purely for the AGM balance sheet , is Peter lawell coat on a shuggly peg?
This is the guy who has personally made a fortune from our club, while earning a EPL salary ( that he said we could not afford to pay a top player )
His income has been boosted by selling players for purely AGM balance sheets to increase his bonus
Time for a change
Henke could come back as player manager.
Ernie,
The deadline might well have had some bearing on the announcement.
I truly believe if the board announced a monkey post deadline some fans would ask for, and receive some sort of refund.
But then again if a stadium filler manager was announced you’d probably find some problem with that too.
67 Heaven
I would like to see the new manager as someone who does get the fans excited. If Henrik is the one I’ll support him all the way