We don’t owe our modern greats anything, all of them were suitably compensated for services rendered, but one suffered more than most for wearing green and white hoops. For what he endured to play for and manage Celtic, Neil Lennon will always receive my respect and gratitude.
He became the most racially abused person in Scotland’s history. Even his treatment by his peers at court is a stain on a nation that lies to itself about its collective moral code with great conviction.
Oh, you didn’t know about the vulnerabilities? Well, he has only written about and discussed them for the best part of a decade. There can be no doubt these wounds were exposed during 2020. When he needed support, he found levels of hostility without precedent, from some, because of his race, from others, because of football results.
The man at the centre of the storm will not care where you to fit these two groups into an ethical hierarchy, but I suspect I know the actions of which caused the most emotional trauma. Still, football results, and all that. Just because we can find a neighbour below us on the ethical scale, does not make us ethical.
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This article was overdue. Neil failed and it was a painful failure, but some of us have embarrassed ourselves and the club. We don’t owe Neil anything, but hopefully the hatred stops and a bit of perspective takes hold.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE – Absolutely. Every time I see the photo of the straight leg, studs out in a flying Jean Claude Van Damme type pose, I get the judders. Could have snapped the keeper’s neck.
LIONROARS67 on 14TH APRIL 2021 1:16 PM
If you’re going to spam the forum with cult propaganda could you possibly
1. use inverted commas to show you are quoting an article.
2. provide a link to the article so that people can check its provenance. An article from a cult member like Gerry Hassan might be viewed by some as less objective than an article by someone less committed to the cause, for instance.
I didn’t think Neil should have been appointed in 2019, but I have a simple fan’s knowledge of football – and I can’t think of who else Celtic should have gone for? But, his treatment in Scotland and in our wee country all comes down to one main fact. He signed for Celtic in 2000. Up to that point he had played for (1996-2000), been ‘accepted’, and even been made Captain of Norn Ireland.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/lvf-threat-forces-out-football-star-26038624.html
Lennon ran foul of certain sections of the Northern Ireland crowd when he signed for Celtic nearly two years ago. Death threats appeared on the walls of loyalist areas. One read: “Neil Lennon RIP.”
The Irish Football Association said: “It is a terrible blight once again on society in Northern Ireland, especially when you think of the efforts made to stamp this sort of thing out.”
It would have been his first outing as captain and his 41st international appearance. “I am very disappointed that my desire to play for my country has been taken away from me,” Lennon said.
funny how labour unionists can scrutinize fascism from 80/90 years ago that did not cost a life
whereas the unions last example of murdering fascist leadet of a “new” party does not inspire comment at all.
maybe those quarter of a million iraqis are just not worthy victims.
ruperts man in labour.
i wonder if Tony did?
was Tony a cult Ernie?
you followed that cult
no repeal of anti union legislation
stick to Tory policy.
think i will put you in the noo red tory box..
Tony prince andrewed your excuse
Every single Celtic fan has suffered sectarian and racist abuse in Scotland, a good many of us have been attacked for wearing our colours, many have died.
Neil Lennon is no worse off than a good many of us, indeed he was financially rewarded for his agreeing to be a Celt.
I have no issue with him being a drunk however, it more or less confirms the level of the issue he took into Lennoxtown every day, to the detriment of Celtic.
No one wanted him to fail, but the writing was in the wall from April 2019 onwards as we struggled to overcome a competent Huns team, and Euro also rans such as Cluj, Copenhagen and Ferencvaros. As, such he should never have remained in charge in such a huge season.
Lawwell and Co need to shoulder this one I’m afraid, not the fans.
The ultimate Irony is getting a lecture on grammar and etiquette from a proven lying political propagandist
Ha Ha ha Ha……………………………
‘The Ibrox side have also been hit with a €9,000 fine by European football’s governing body. They have been handed the fine for breaching Article 15(4), where five or more players were found to have been guilty of improper conduct…’
No current clarity as to whether this monetary slap on the wrist was pitch-related, or also connected to their dignified dressing room antics ??
The horrible sleekit hun that snatched that video footage will get his comeuppance……………….
HHH.
JAMES FORREST on 14TH APRIL 2021 12:11 PM
Absolute shite Paul. God it must be great (and lonely) up on that pedestal.
At no point have you pointed the finger where it most definitely belongs here, where it MOST DEFINITELY belongs. Our club hired a man with those vulnerablities for the two most high pressure campaigns in our history and then they left him twisting in the wind when it all started to unravel.
If Neil Lennon, at some point, checks himself into a faciility to be treated for his issues and it turns out that those issues were present all the way through his second spell as manager, what will you write then? Will you blame the supporters who knew SOMETHING was far, far wrong or will you blame the people who hired him in the first place and thrust him into that spotlight?
The day you actually point the finger somewhere other than your pal and those other charlatans will be a cold one in Hell.
Your comments echo those of hun fans everywhere today; blame the Celtic fans for the state of the former manager. We were supposed to show understanding and compassion; you know what? All of us did. All of us worried that Lennon the man was being battered by the pressures of Lennon the manager. It didn’t take a genius to see it … except that the geniuses who run our club apparently couldn’t.
Some of what you write, Paul, is divorced from reality at the best of times.
This is just outright offence and utter garbage.
========================
jamesie have you still got your wee bile ridden no neil lennon sign?
divorced from reality james- easy on the mirror james.
you should have a look at yir output
less quantity and maybe a linee or 2 of quality.
if i may say you were on rancid firm over NL.
LIONROARS67 on 14TH APRIL 2021 1:26 PM
‘So he wasn’t actually a nazi’
##
Well that’s what you and the cult claim.
But even if that was the case, is such a person, who was prepared to help the nazis succeed in conquering England, really appropriate for the honour and respect paid to him by the SNP?
DENIABHOY
I don’t recall seeing a more sickening challenge.
AN TEARMANN on 14TH APRIL 2021 1:47 PM
was Tony a cult Ernie?
####
I have to say I never called him Tony.
Though Martin McGuinness did.
not seen video..so don’t know if its a Hun aor a Celtic fan.. Eitherr way shouldn’t be shouting abse.. just leve him alone.. He shouldNEVER have been given job. Should have been sacked after Cluj/CopenHagen basically every Euro defeat at Parkhead . But not his fault.. i would be player manager at Celtic if asked. Its DD and PL who are to blame Deliberately kept him on to spite Celtic fans
AN TEARMANN on 14TH APRIL 2021 1:42 PM
‘funny how labour unionists can scrutinize fascism from 80/90 years ago that did not cost a life’
###
Two points.
1. the defeat of fascism cost a lot of lives.
2. whilst the second world war was almost a lifetime ago, the SNP’s veneration of Arthur Donaldson is very much more contemporaneous.
Re Howe… maybe its all signed and dione.. if not we should be moving on… already too late for CL qualifiers and soon for league for next season
AN TEARMANN on 14TH APRIL 2021 1:54 PM
Agreed, It was just gratuitous abuse. Uncalled for and unnecessary.
I have no knowledge of whether Neil is still an employee or not. Regardless, I sincerely hope the heir-achy are reaching out to support him.
I posted months ago something about Ranieri and Leicester, about Leicester saving a club legend from himself by sacking him.
Why this didn’t happen with Neil at the back end of 2020 I cannot fathom. What damage was done and how badly was Neil exposed to admittedly some vile elements in our own support was wholly unnecessary and negligible on the part of the board.
Well that’s what you and the cult claim.
Historical accuracy says he isn’t a Nazi, nor was he connected to Hitler, you have never proven your oft-repeated lying propaganda
Being called a cult member by an everyday political troll who has cultishly monotonously slaved away on here for years on behalf of the British state retaining its imperial control over Scotland is both risible and laughable, you are the very definition of a troll no one knows who you are
‘Even his treatment by his peers at court is a stain on a nation that lies to itself about its collective moral code with great conviction’.
I hope you’re not implying Scoddland is a parochial, bigoted backwater?
LIONROARS67 on 14TH APRIL 2021 2:22 PM
Did Donaldson hope to benefit politically from a Nazi conquest of England?
Yes or no.
Anyone who is obsessed with the SNP of Donaldson’s time, when it really was a cult, and thinks this has anything to do with contemporary Scottish politics is detached from reality. Or perhaps it’s just his hatred of everything Scottish.
Donaldson, in whom Scottish voters are not in the least bit interested, is as relevant as Ramsey MacDonald. No, that’s not right, because Labour is still full of Ramsey MacDonalds. The present leader made his party abstain on a bill to allow undercover cops to commit rape and murder with impunity. That might have been too much even for MacDonald.
No idea why anyone engages with Ernie on these discussions, it allows him to do his favourite thing, regurgitate the same points he states on here every week and has done for the best part of 10 years.
Then when he gets really excited he loves a good old dose of pedantry. Its never about right or wrong its just about Ernie making his wee pet points and generally in a particularly unpleasant way that would get him a slap in the pub.
Ignore.
79CAPS on 14TH APRIL 2021 2:26 PM
The point is though that the cult’s veneration of Arthur Donaldson isn’t something from the dim and distant past.
It’s a contemporary issue.
What kind of a political party is it to hold such an individual in such high regard?
Donaldson today, it will be the currency/Europe/growth commission/head of state tomorrow.
The only reason I give him a modicum of respect is that he is not quite so rabid about the big bad proddies as some of his gang are. Also I believe he is telling the truth about his politics unlike JHB for example.
The Blogger Formerly Known As GM on 14th April 2021 2:23 pm
Lowest common denominator as usual.
LIONROARS67 on 14TH APRIL 2021 1:16 PM
Enjoyed that, thank you, very informative.
TIMMY7_NOTED on 14TH APRIL 2021 2:32 PM
‘Donaldson today, it will be the currency/Europe/growth commission/head of state tomorrow.’
###
And you’ll have no better answers.
Ernie
It’s an irrelevance, as you welll know. The SNP, which I have never voted for and never would, has all kinds of views ranging from a minority of left to a large majority of social democratic types plus some Tories. It’s odd that you call it a cult, as it is Labour which has become a small cult in Scotland (as a result of sharing platforms with the Tories). You must surely have noticed that? If not, the May elections will confirm it.
And comparing Donaldson with the Billy Boys is also odd. The Billy Boys were and are devoted to the Union flag, like you.
ERNIE LYNCH on 14TH APRIL 2021 2:25 PM
Did the IRA hope to benefit politically from a Nazi conquest of England?
Yes or no.
BTW would the nazis only conquest England ? or was that an unconscious slip of where your heart lies
The deluded Huns think they’ll have influence on these two media outlets:
‘A club statement read: ” Rangers can confirm that we met with Facebook and Instagram today.
The Premiership champions have now taken the next step and urged the companies to ask for ID for all users.’
These outlets hardly listen to governments neither mind that wee club.
79CAPS on 14TH APRIL 2021 2:38 PM
‘Ernie
It’s an irrelevance, as you welll know.’
###
It’s not irrelevant that the SNP honoured an excretion like Arthur Donaldson, because it provides some insight into the mindset of the cult.
‘And comparing Donaldson with the Billy Boys is also odd.’
I think you probably mean equating, rather than comparing, but given that they were both interred in the Bar L for their pro nazi sympathies, it’s not at all odd. What’s odd is the cult’s pig headed devotion to Donaldson , which is not dissimilar to the huns affection for Fullerton.
Following an investigation conducted by a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector regarding the incidents that occurred during the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second leg match between Rangers FC and SK Slavia Praha on 18 March 2021, and the subsequent proceedings opened against Mr. Ondřej Kúdela and Mr. Glen Kamara, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has taken the following decisions:
– To suspend SK Slavia Praha player, Mr. Ondřej Kúdela, for the next ten (10) UEFA club and representative team competition matchesfor which he would otherwise be eligible to play, for racist behaviour, which includes the one-match provisional suspension served by the player during SK Slavia Praha’s 2020/21 UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg match against Arsenal FC on 8 April 2021.
– To suspend Rangers FC player, Mr. Glen Kamara, for three (3) UEFA club competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible to play, for assaulting another player.
Paul67
” Just because we can find a neighbour below us on the ethical scale, does not make us ethical.”
————————————-
A very powerful line and I see it struck home forcibly with one respondent, at least.
I have no problem at all with the Celtic fans who merely judged, in advance or after the early stages of this season, that he was not the right man to lead Celtic to the Ten.
I do have an issue with those who added vitriol to the debate and debased the man’s qualities and achievements to justify or strengthen that view. Neil can be entitled to feel that some of those who posted or sung the Labi Siffre song in support of the abiuse he was getting from Ibrox sectarian bigots, were less than steadfast in their personal support once he stopped providing us with league titles.
Many of us let Neil Lennon down.
I wish him nothing but greater peace and contentment in his future life.
Ernie
No, I meant comparing.
I suggest you go canvassing in the elections and tell voters about Arthur Donaldson. I’m sure they will be enthralled.
You could also ask about Tony Blair, a figure from the not so distant past. Only a war criminal on a grand scale, who is still a member of the Labour Party and is revered by most Labour MPs.
And security state agent Starmer, who is purging the Labour Party of anyone vaguely left-wing. He sounds like a vote winner.
3 game suspension for an after match assault
The Ibrox side has also been hit with a €9,000 fine by European football’s governing body.
They have been handed the fine for breaching Article 15(4), where five or more players were found to have been guilty of improper conduct.
The club has 90 days to fulfill the payment.
Kamara with 5 fellow Rangers players hanging about in the tunnel-like a pub team waiting to assault opposition players and one of them Kamara actually carries out an assault on an opposition player FFS
They have got away with it here, message from EUFA is clear, kick the shit out of the opposition as long as you make a claim about a comment which has racist undertones …………a joke
LIONROARS67 on 14TH APRIL 2021 2:38 PM
ERNIE LYNCH on 14TH APRIL 2021 2:25 PM
Did the IRA hope to benefit politically from a Nazi conquest of England?
Yes or no.
####
Elements, like Sean Russell did and have rightly been condemned for doing so, on the basis of what
Terence McSwinney had said in an earlier time
‘If Ireland was to secure its freedom at the expense of the liberty of other peoples, it would deserve for itself all the execration she herself has poured out on tyranny throughout the ages’
‘BTW would the nazis only conquest England ? or was that an unconscious slip of where your heart lies’
Oh dear. You’ve rather missed the point. That was what Arthur Donaldson was hoping for, not what I’m suggesting would have happened. Please try to keep up.