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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Aye, yer right!
I don’t want to read it or click on the link.
So I won’t.
JAMESGANG on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 7:40 PM
Brilliantly articulated post. Correct in everything you wrote. You’ve written exactly what I feel.
TOSB 🙏💚
Celtic PLC’s share price rose by 2.5 percent a few minutes after Neil Lennon’s departure
You hear a lot about what a well run club we are, how we are a great business.
Now I’m all for that provided it correlates with a winning team.
It offers me zero consolation when we have a losing team.
If we’ are losing but still generating profits the only beneficiaries are the big shareholders.
If you are thrilled to see big capital rewarded you might be better advised supporting a hedge fund rather than a football club.
I see the “Kennedy Out !” movement have mobilised nice and early.
Yawn
STEBHOY on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 7:50 PM
This season it caught up with us – if anyone should be out of a job it should be Lawwell fired , hammond fired and the board questioning desmonds leadership.
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And if the OWNERS support DD because he is a defacto Double Billionaire, maybe throwing some other great business their way, even though some are very wealthy themselves, then what ?
FRITZSONG on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 7:33 PM
MADMITCH on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 4:08 PM
One thing is for sure is that if DT had the Scottish legal system at his disposal he would still be in the White House.
Deep Fried Mars Bar republic — today and it is getting worse.
_____________________________________________
You’re quite wrong about the Deep Fried Mars Bar republic. It’s ripe bananas you smell here.
========
no deep fried mars bar
no banana republic
no labour old or new.
socialism as you know is now a marketing concept.The war criminal defines how distant you are from what your natural base is.lost!
mars bars n bananas would be better suited a lanurkshire marching season coonsil meeting.
hh
SAINT STIVS
Facts can be used to a person’s advantage though.
Yes, you can argue it took Slippy three years to get the better of Lennon.
It could also be argued that Neil Lennon has over a decade of managerial experience to draw on and Slippy has his number after only three years of being a manager.
I agree the personal insults aren’t on but it’s quite clear Lennon isn’t a top-level coach. Forgetting the name for a moment, if we appointed someone next who’d managed in the SPFL and been sacked from the Championship, would you consider that good enough for a club of this stature? So why was it after Rodgers left?
Bournesouprecipe
I don’t think John Kennedy has had a chance to show what he can do. Conflicting stories about the extent to which he was valued by Rodgers. With Lenny, it often looked as if they weren’t happy working with one another.
You’re very probably right in saying that the malcontents amongst the playing staff are likely to continue in the same manner as they have throughout this season so he’ll be fighting an uphill battle.
I’m sure that other teams will know if he is talented as a coach and some club will take a chance on him. He might have to go elsewhere if he is to get a crack at the Celtic manager’s job in the future.
JF
that is a passionate emotional forensic blow by blow article.
and yet that regime brings us 19 trophies in 11 seasons of Neil , Ronnie, Brendan, Neil.
4 trebles.
he is a billionaire, you need to be careful calling him a bastard on line.
ST STIVS
I’ve just posted the article to DD.
GEEBEE1978 on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 8:34 PM
SAINT STIVS
I agree the personal insults aren’t on but it’s quite clear Lennon isn’t a top-level coach. Forgetting the name for a moment, if we appointed someone next who’d managed in the SPFL and been sacked from the Championship, would you consider that good enough for a club of this stature? So why was it after Rodgers left?
————————
I worked in PC Electronics for 35 years.
The number of times we laid people off, but brought the same people back in a years later because “they did it before” , and were good at it, even to the present day, employing 50 year olds rather than 20 year olds,
Neil won trophies in that first spell, for whatever reason, Dermo and Peter and him get on like a house on fire, so that is it, they won a watch when he did it before.
Big Wavy. David Webb? That is Jason Bourne’s birth name.
He would certainly kick a few arses that need kicking.
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 8:37 PM
Bournesouprecipe
I don’t think John Kennedy has had a chance to show what he can do. Conflicting stories about the extent to which he was valued by Rodgers.
——————
Brendan was interviewed today, very cute move by the meeja, he loves John.
JF
It’s also an article that I really can’t argue with.
HH jg
SAINT STIVS on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 8:38 PM
and yet that regime brings us 19 trophies in 11 seasons of Neil , Ronnie, Brendan, Neil.
4 trebles.
================
Id take that fir the next 11 seasons, with maybe an improvement in Europe if I’m being greedy
Philbhoy
You make me giggle, so you do!
HH jg
PHILBHOY:
You really are a pitiful wee sagging ballsack aren’t you?
What a sad life you must have.
Brendan loves everybody. Luis Suarez “is a wonderful human being”. Brendan also loved Stevie G. I think Brendan is being diplomatic. If he had wanted John Kennedy at Leicester that’s where he’d be.
JAMESGANG
In the nicest possible way I hope!
Are you home yet, or still in exile?
Hope it’s the former!
I’ll let you know if Dermot gets back to me!
Enjoy you night.
P8ddy
hi mate.
i am a little disturbed at any breach of security.it should not happen.i hope you review your decision to pause input as you are a poster the scroll is not used on.😊
i dint always agree(who wants that anyway) but your posts always were cogent and open up the thought channels.
i liked who you read as they are read by myself.Z magazine from US.and chomsky/herman Fateful triangle on Palestine.
Anyway Peace be with you my friend and i hope you put your head in from time to time.
hh
SAINT STIVS on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 8:42 PM
Ronny Deila won trophies. Should we bring him back?
Football is far more nuanced than that and owners of a big football club should get that.
If the improvement in Europe is aspirations to be a CL club, it is becoming near impossible.
The Deloitte Football finances table shows Celtic last in the 20 top earners in Europe was back in 2008.
The top 30 revenue clubs now include Leicester, Palace, West Ham.
Real Madrid are 10 times the size of Celtic, Only 3 times in 2008
In 2005 DD sold his Man United interest to invest in Celtic,
Man United are now 7 times the revenues of Celtic.
Maybe he made one mistake there.
PHILBHOY on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 8:53 PM
Dermot didn’t seem to care when our biggest season in decades was crumbling. Pretty sure he won’t care what people say about him on a blog. I certainly wouldn’t if I were him…..
Forrest
I usually scroll by your posts.
But I will tell you this.
I am Irish.
I have family in Ireland.
DD is known to us and us to him.
Your vile post has been sent to him.
Now take the consequences as a man…………………..or like the pussy you are!
My final word on you.
Sleep well.
Scullybhoy
If you’re still looking in another loss by O’Neill’s Stoke city tonight – but at least he used 5 subs. Son in law said we can have him.
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 8:30 PM
I see the “Kennedy Out !” movement have mobilised nice and early.
Yawn
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There is nothing personal in this, it is purely business. I’m sure he is a very fine and knowledgeable individual and may do a good job elsewhere. Possibly even for us in the future.
However JK is part of the managerial team that has failed on the biggest stage. As assistant manager he must share the blame and share the consequence.
He has been at Parkhead for a long time; Do you seriously believe he is the one to take us forward on our new building programme?
HH.
For John Kennedy see Neil Lennon
12 May 2019 Super sizzling Sun
BRENDAN RODGERS has urged his former Celtic bosses to give Neil Lennon the permanent manager’s job.
Lennon took on the caretaker role following Rodgers’ move to Leicester City back in February.
And he has since guided the Hoops to their eighth successive Premiership title, as well as the Scottish Cup Final.
It remains to be seen whether Parkhead chiefs will hand him the reins permanently, but Rodgers insists it’s a no-brainer.
Speaking to the Sunday Mail, he said: “Neil’s perfect for the job. He understands Celtic and the pressures involved.
“They will have many applications because it’s an amazing club. People will want to go and work there.
“But not many will understand the expectations of Celtic, especially going for the ninth title next year.
“Neil gets that fully.”
Millionaires CSC
Night all!
Sleep well!
THEORIGINALSADIESBHOY on 24TH FEBRUARY 2021 8:50 PM
Brendan loves everybody. Luis Suarez “is a wonderful human being”. Brendan also loved Stevie G. I think Brendan is being diplomatic. If he had wanted John Kennedy at Leicester that’s where he’d be.
Tòsb
beg to differ my friend.i think your lookin at one side of the equation.i think you omit JKs own history with our club and also that of his families….as well as that he’d get a doin in cleland 🤣 if he did.good to see yi post now get typin :-)
hh
ST STIVS
What about Cluj shambles last season?
Trying to think of one interview, when someone is asked about somebody, and says hes absolutely useless……nope not one….
James Forrest at 8-21.
I agree with you.
Bada
I think, to be fair, NFL gave a fair few interviews like that this season…about his own players!
HH jg
And for the avoidance of doubt.
PAUL67 has said on numerous occasions that posters are responsible for their posts, not this site.
Paul67. I think you are being harsh in your remarks on jock Stein.
He lost macari, hay, connolly and dalglish. Liverpool sold the best player in england and replaced him with the best player in britain. We replaced king Kenny with a dundee united fringe player.
Stein was undermined at every turn by the celtic board.
If not for big jock we would still be waiting for our first title since 1954.