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.
412 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- »
my point is, whoever is Head of PR at celtic PLC, cannot respond in the unhindered way they do in the media or on social platforms.
they will be duty bound to play by the stock market rules, no freedom of speech, everything is about what affects share price, even the language used.
next,
anyone point me to where NFL salary is factually revealed ?
next next
MM , how much is your season book, cmon dont be shy,
I am in 122 down at the corner flag, i love where is it and the row i am in great neighbours.
I see the USA cops have been training at Tulliallen .
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bruce-springsteen-hearing-dwi-charges-dismissed-1132609/
MADMITCH on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 4:09 PM
Is the going rate for an adult season ticket £600?
Seems a bit steep — main Stand price?
You mean to say you don’t have one.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Whood a thunk it.
So, huns’ covid 5 have been forgiven and have returned to training…that’s nice!
ONIL@ 4:44 pm
Ach! Sure I knew that already.
Didn’t we all? :-)
It’s a nonsense to say Celtic cannot attract a top level coach, elite even.
We are world renowned with potential to complete in UCL/EL every season. We can afford elite manager level salaries too.
The past issues in recruitment are more likely result of poor planning which is on PL/DD & the board. Think back to past appointments, Strachan (chance Cheltenham meeting with DD), Mowbray (EPL exposure), Neil Lennon (caretaker manager) Ronny (Keane’s intended assistant) & Brendan Rodgers (elite unemployed EPL manager with affinity to Celtic).
There is nothing preventing this board from recruiting a top level coach if they conduct a wide ranging search for ideal candidates based on long term strategic goals and objectives of the club.
However strategic planning has been one of the weaker aspects during PL/DD’s reign. They simply haven’t been as good at their job as they like to credit themselves.
At least now it sounds like there has been a change in direction, if reports are true they are using a headhunting agency to identify suitable candidates for the Sporting Director role.
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS
Free the Hyndland 5
Covid 5 cheats.
What about the refs going to Greece ?.Mention us getting foreign refs & the cabal threatened to go on strike ffs !
Best of luck to interim manager John Kennedy hope he produces something from his considerable experience which has seen him have three different Celtic managers.
Whether he’ll be able to do that with the Scottish Cup probably moth balled and limited time left in the league remains to be seen haters have him already losing the derby game next month, just because thats what they don’t want him. His biggest challenge will be to make players play that were often under the bus and not playing for his boss.
How exactly does that work?
If they suddenly produce miracles what does it say about the players that malfunctioned this season. Whether you liked / rated Neil Lennon or not, certain players on big, big wages let down their manager. My own guess is, we’ll have a very familiar line up to what we’ve been used to, and all the subs used by time up, starting around 60 minutes. We all know if he’s any sense he’ll dae something, just dae something, dae wan o they holy tricks,…….. miracles ya mug ye.
At least Covid 19 might rule out the ole Celtic managerial CSA summer roadshows at a venue near you?
But who knows CSC
Rodgers wanted to take John kennedy to Leicester with him..!.
Aye Ok. 😂😂😂
SPIDEY101
Have you done any research on managers in the English Championship?
BSR
I’m sure Nicola and the SFA will be having their say
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56187223
Sean T,
I’ve noticed this mentioned a few times this week – the first time I’ve heard anything about it.
In fact, previously it was mentioned he was the one Rodgers didn’t want.
Who knows?
Gene..
Thats the end of that then…
Scandalous.
SEAN THORNTON on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 5:43 PM
Rodgers wanted to take John kennedy to Leicester with him..!.
Aye Ok. 😂😂😂
To put the cones out.
Best of luck to NFL for the future, Celtic legend.
What about wee Shaun Maloney as interim manager and then have his current boss join him after the Euros gig, that I would love to see
GSU
“It has been an extremely difficult week for those players following their admission of an error of judgement whilst dealing with the consequences of their actions.”
God love them. Poor things. My heart goes out.
Neil was promoted beyond his skillset. Everything that happened after that was sadly inevitable.
ONIL
Are you renewing your season card how much is it ?
Put the job out for applications, Lawwell has gone.
BrayStreet on 24th February 2021 4:44 pm
In the rebuild Jim Spence should be put in charge of the PR department.
=============================
Great shout but I suspect he’s too much of an actual real journalist to consider it.
SAINT STIVS on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 5:56 PM
Not that i have to justify anything to you pal but I have been a season ticket holder for over thirty years. My opinion is a valid as yours and it shows the level you operate on asking me that.
Ok, next manager, here is your number 1 objective –
From the employer – win the next trophy working within the PLC budget.
From the Fans –
buy new and better players in all the positions we think we need strenghtened in, while improving who is already there, promoting the youth, improving fitness, diet, sport sciennce, artificaial intelligence, mechanics and body language, playing in the formations we want you, with always 2 up front, never ever passing the ball sideways or retaining possession, playings wide expansive swashbuckling football with a minimum of 4 goals per game , not losing any goals, never dropping points, winning ALL THE TROPHIES and making us a credible Chamions league team, oh and improbing the pitch, calling out the huns, SFA, Nicola and every referee, ………………… forget the budget, the is the CEO;s job
GENE @ 5:48 PM
Yip
Gene
I’m relieved it has all turned out well for them with no need for intervention from the FM.
…No LOVE…no humour…..no craic………..just spite and vile………..
Love and humour? Gies a break Mate.
ONENIGHTINLISBON on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 6:05 PM
SAINT STIVS on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 5:56 PM
Not that i have to justify anything to you pal but I have been a season ticket holder for over thirty years. My opinion is a valid as yours and it shows the level you operate on asking me that.
————————-
It is a topic on the blog today, how much is a season book, the esteemed mad mitch is asking , thought you might want to give us a nice one liner contribution,
30 years you say , back to 90/91 then ? so that would be the main stand ones ? or the special terrecing ones for the pools agents ?
you should get a long service medal, imagine having to endure all that ish over all them years but buying again and again,
so are you buying again,pal.
pal, lol.
Never here for the Cheers……
…….just the jeers………….
MACCARGO on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 5:56 PM
Neil was promoted beyond his skillset. Everything that happened after that was sadly inevitable.
—————
aye those 5 trophies in a row, only one other manager did better ever.
SAINT STIVS on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 6:10
Why don’t you pick on the hundreds of other posters who dare to criticise Lennon and the board and question them?
You always want to have a go with your wee clique. Just scroll past and leave it, that would be just brilliant.
Always here for the snide comments ….
Yup……..thats obvs.
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 4:22 PM
TOSB
“Seriously??? You’re still having a dig at the fans.”
———————————-
“Some” not “the” fans.
Every diddy club in the world has fans who identify with the need to sack and change a previously successful manager because of a downturn. They always think it will be for the better and never consider the other two possibilities.
My views are not specifically about the Neil Lennon situation- Neil had to go – we all knew that but….
Some people could not help but make it personal as if he ahd deprived them of something they were entitled to get from him.
I am a supporter of Celtic. I rejoice when we win and I hate it when we lose but I never demanded they be a winning team or else! It is sad to see some of us reach that state.
…………..
So you are still having a go at the fans who wanted Neil Lennon to leave. Yet you say yourself that he had to go. So it’s OK to hold the view that he had to leave just as long as you don’t actually articulate it.
You also allude to our season as a “downturn”. You are obviously given to euphemism. We don’t think a change of manager might possibly be for the worse either, do we? Well we won’t find out if we can do better until we appoint somebody else. He’ll have to be really poor if he can’t better Lenny’s attempts this season. We will bear in mind though the amount of funding the new guy will get compared to Lenny. Lenny squandered £18m according to reports.
I also detect a wee hint in your post that we’re entitled for demanding change due to the said ‘downturn’. Quite plainly that’s just silly. Many on here have supported the team through thick and thin in the past and let’s face it there was a lot of thin. What has made fans seriously unhappy and downright angry this season was the behaviour of the Board. We had a huge financial advantage over Sevco but managed to squander it. They shouldn’t have been able to live with us. They appointed a cheap option manager in the face of a lot of concern from fans at the time. They had warnings last season that he was not up to the job. They had a very early warning this season after Ferencvaros but they know better than the fans. Who are we to hold an opinion on the management of the football team. Just give us your money and we’ll communicate with you if and when we feel like it ……. probably around season ticket renewal time. No don’t play the Entitled Card. I’m not having it.
You say you’re a Celtic fan yet you defended the manager on here and had a go at several of the dissenting voices for wanting change. You were more interested in saving Lenny than saving Celtic. Some of us have no emotional attachment to Celtic managers, we just want them to do well. Not much to ask really.
I know this is not going to be popular, but I wanted Michael O’Neill when Brendan left. I think his track record is brilliant. Sadly, to many on here won’t even entertain the idea. Anyway, just a point of view based on evidence.
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/02/24/hoops-mad-pundit-wants-fantastic-51-year-old-as-lennons-replacement-at-celtic/
HH
.
How long has Shaun Maloney been involved with Roberto Martinez? Roberto must see something in Shaun that he likes. We cannot afford to screw up the next managerial appointment and put the Huns International back in their place
There again would any manager want to come to Celtic and get the vitriol that gets thrown around here by foes and “friends”
Thank you Neil Lennon, hope you have a happy and prosperous future
HH0