When Brendan Rodgers left us in the lurch in February 2019 we were fortunate to be able to turn to a known quantity in Neil Lennon as interim boss. His first week was totemic, wins at Hearts and Hibs sent him on the way to the league and Scottish Cup, completing our third successive treble.
Neil took the job on condition he was considered for the permanent position. Celtic agreed, but I doubt they expected he would get the job. Ultimately, hopes of attracting another tier one candidate were dashed, as you and I occasionally observe, Never follow Sinatra. Few wanted to fill Brendan’s sunbed. The choice was between Neil and an earnest candidate who had won promotion to the Premier League in England, before relegation and unemployment. Neil was thought to be the better choice by the club for what would be a pressured season, but it is fair to say there was consternation when the announcement was made after that famous Cup Final win over Hearts.
The fourth consecutive treble, by now an expectation in some places, was not as easy as previous seasons. Newco’s loss-inflated side reached their first final in five years, got to the last 16 of the Europa League and led the domestic table in January. After defeat at Celtic Park to their challengers on 29 December, Celtic won every game for the remainder of the domestic season in league and cup. It was a fantastic response from a manager who looked to be on the ropes.
More impressively, a difficult Europa League group was won; famous victories over Lazio will live long in the memory. Last season, Europe also provided a portent of troubles ahead; an inferior Cluj, eliminated Celtic in the Champions League qualifiers, Copenhagen amazed themselves by doing the same in the Europa knockout rounds. Something was not right.
The capitulation this season has few precedents in our history. Despite retaining all key members of the side, ignominious defeats arrived in waves. Ferencvaros, Sparta Prague, twice, Ross County, twice, Newco at Celtic Park without making an attempt on goal. The Europa League group was an omnishambles until Neil rested players for a dead rubber against Lille and discovered talent waiting in the stands. This helped his cause but not his reputation.
I don’t buy the theory that were disproportionately affected by lack of fans, we made a series of missteps, in magnitude no greater than at the start of Brendan Rodgers last season in charge, but this time our challenger scarcely lost a goal, never mind a game.
With the direction of travel well established, there was a window to change manager in the autumn. When I argued the case to act for the good of Celtic’s season, I was counselled on the need to attract a manager who would work for a club who will sack a manager that’s never lost a trophy and had only lost one league game. There would be some takers, but not the ones you want. I believe this avenue was considered. Our options were John Kennedy as interim or a candidate miles out of their depth.
Among the many emotions Neil Lennon will feel today, I am sure a sense of disappointment in how he was treated by some among us. As well as giving us some great days, the worst that can be said about him is he made several bad football decisions. After what he has been through to be a Celtic player and manager, his treatment in places was atrocious.
I remember Jock Stein’s last four seasons, that produced only one league title, not to mention Gordon Strachan’s four, which resulted in only one league loss. Both were hounded by uncontained angry fans. The only difference now, is that the uncontained have social media to organise around. Neil, is in good company.
He will undoubtedly experience relief, but Neil has opened up previously on his fragilities, I suspect he will be haunted by regret, one of the more pernicious human emotions. However, as the Chairman of the Board once noted, ‘Regrets, I’ve had a few, but too few to mention.. The record shows’, NINE-IN-A-ROW.
Neil, thanks for Lazio, Rennes, the leagues and cups and the many euphoric victories. I cannot imagine how difficult on a personal level this has been, but the very best of health for the future. You will never walk alone.
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Instead of asking why we didn’t buy player X over player Y
it might be more useful to ask why players are coming into
our organisation and then playing miles below the level
that is expected of them?
Barkas didn’t become an international player on the form
we have seen. West Ham didn’t sign Ajeti because he was
poor player. We could go on and on. So many players have
regressed.
“Lennon’s successes will still be talked about when none of us are alive to hear it”
Tom English
I expect a Dr Jo Venglos type of appointment as the DOF.
TT
So will his failures
BGFC,
Have you ever asked Nicky about a short gig prior or after a game ?
Scullybhoy: Your opinions are as valid as any other poster on here.
HH.
Celtic news: BBC pundit English says Lennon’s claim Hoops should be named champions is ‘one-eyed nonsense’
Celtic boss Neil Lennon’s celebrations at Dundee were ’embarrassing’, says BBC’s Tom English
“They might have left their problems behind for the guts of a week in the United Arab Emirates but those issues have multiplied now. They’re getting pelted with flak for their own recklessness while being laughed out of town for the abject situation they’ve plunged themselves into. Right now, everything seems a struggle for them. Their slide into chaos has been remarkable.”
Comments recently by Tom English recently show it’s easy to be nice after the event
Gene- what’s happening at the Test match 🏏
Tom English? Don’t make me laugh, hun apologist of the first order, no doubt wanted the failing Lennon to remain in place to his pals over in Govan to continue their new found success…
English, and the other rat Lackie in The Hun,similar sanctimonious drivel re NL.
!!bada bing!!
Test Match?
I’m more interested in whats happening on the Test Card
The huns are totally pissed off that Lennon is gone, wonder why?
GREENPINATA on 25TH FEBRUARY 2021 10:51 AM
BGFC,
Have you ever asked Nicky about a short gig prior or after a game ?
—————————–
Me and WeeBGFC were just at the point of doing that when the bliddy pandemic hit.
He had already taken the guitar a couple of times pre-game and we had a wee informal session in the back room. Had been asked back by the funky barmaid (name escapes me – hippy-chick look, European accent – very nice) after we played at one of the CQN hoots.
Looking forward to getting back in – I hope we can get to play a few tunes, that would be brilliant.
HH
BGFC
Bada
Pitch is a nightmare for batsmen – more like an ODI than a 5 day test match
ONENIGHTINLISBON on 25TH FEBRUARY 2021 11:17 AM
The huns are totally pissed off that Lennon is gone, wonder why?
——————-
They likely still have some self doubt on Slippy G themselves. They didn’t receive any sort of challenge to the league this year so it would have suited them for NL to continue in charge.
They probably fear our next managerial appointment. Make their season a one hit wonder, make inspired appointments and smash them again next season!
St Tams – no worries. Turned out it was a long way of saying your Swansea chap is the best bet if we’re looking at the Championship for our new man, albeit he may not feel it’s the right time if he were asked.
I’ll try to do the other 9 folk later today.
BHOY FROM THE BOYNE on 25TH FEBRUARY 2021 11:29 AM
Totally agree.
Our next few appointments are the most important ones for years, that’s a fact.
Spidey101
Don’t spend too much time on Michael O’Neill 😂
Why should any right-minded person listen to James Forrest. He is a ‘dyed in wool’ SNP cult independence lackey. He, and many like-minded & deluded Celtic supporters think that independence will “stick it to the huns’.
Apart from guaranteeing the impoverishment of Scotland, it will in fact ensure that our advisories are much bigger fish in a smaller pool. Their whip-hand will be strengthened – our kind will be squeezed starting with our Catholic schools – “we can’t afford a two-track schooling system” Our way of life will only be safe within the UK.
The evidence is even now before our very eyes This useless & authoritarian SNP are turning Scotland into a failed state – minorities suffer in failed states….we are 17%.
If they can viciousy turn on their own and justify it, with hardly a whimper from the cowed & compliant Scottish media – imagine what they will do in an independent, and de-facto bankrupt Scotland, to anyone raising dissent – WAKE UP AND SMELL THE CORRUPTION.
JHB on 25TH FEBRUARY 2021 11:37 AM
Why should any right-minded person listen to James Forrest.
because we are allowed to form our own opinions re those who post on here?
/’
JHB on 25th February 2021 11:37 am
You have no shame, most people would accept they made a roaring ass of themselves and stay off the site.
Total embarrassment.
Away back to your pals on twitter and tell them about the bullies on CQN.
cowed & compliant Scottish media?
Who exactly is that? Telegraph? Express? Mail? Herald?
One pro independence newspaper in the country, you really need to try getting out more.
Sorry that was silly I apologise, your big red face would get you noticed.
GreenPinata
mchuills had a mini rave in the back room shortly after a game at CP – went on till about 8-9 ?
CELTIC MAC on 25TH FEBRUARY 2021 10:26 AM
Text on BBC this morning said he was sacked !
JHB
Why would independence mean SNP ? Broaden your horizons and dont be fooled. The huns will fight for Uionism. End of. & I mean FIGHT
We could have a choice on which party after independence is some party has decent policies that go back to what they originally stood for.
HH
ONENIGHTINLISBON on 25TH FEBRUARY 2021 11:17 AM
The huns are totally pissed off that Lennon is gone, wonder why?
###
Because they hate him even more than you do and were wanting to rub his nose in it when they win the league.
new article posted.
are EH and his coaches still waiting on a call.
if that is true re Toney and we ended up with a dud from West Ham , heaven help us.
ADI_DASSLER NOT FOR 2ND BEST on 25TH FEBRUARY 2021 11:54 AM
JHB
‘Why would independence mean SNP’
####
Because having gained power they won’t want to relinquish it.
Just look at the state of them at the moment.
Stop believing in unicorns. They don’t exist.
“Because they hate him even more than you do…..”
Not so sure about that. Then again…….
ERNIE LYNCH on 25TH FEBRUARY 2021 12:03 PM
Hate? I hate no one son.
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 25TH FEBRUARY 2021 12:12 PM
And again, wee troll.