It is rather remarkable that some in the green corner of Glasgow have greeted the appointment of Neil Lennon with something close to dismay.
For me, this is a glass quarter empty mindset.
However, it is the inalienable right of any football fan to express their opinion on anything that their club does or doesn’t do.
Celtic have millions of cash in the bank and certainly could have afforded to spend big on bringing in a “headline act” for the vacant position.
Moreover, I cannot accept the official narrative coming out of the Parkhead boardroom that no other candidates were considered.
As I had previously reported my information is that FOUR candidates got to the interview stage.
I’m told that the negotiations with two of them were within touching distance.
Most of the names are out there and one that I heard of last night was Phillip Cocu.
Moreover, the sounds I was getting from the Lennon camp changed back and forth over the final weeks of the season.
The best I have been able to piece together is that something changed between the week before the last match at Ibrox and the few days leading up the cup final.
At one point I was told by an impeccable source that Neil would do his utmost to get Celtic the Treble Treble and then walk away.
Then a phone call occurred between Lennon’s people and the club and the ambience changed quite literally overnight.
There is no doubt that the new manager will cost Celtic much less than some of the names that were in the frame.
Moreover, he CAN work well within a budget and has proved that in his first term in charge at the club he loves.
Of course, that isn’t what the fans wanted to hear.
Indeed, the statement from the Chief Executive that “no major rebuild needed for Celtic” this summer hints at austerity rather than investment.
Also, the news that a one-year deal had been offered to Emilio Izaguirre further underlines the fact that Lennon could be working to a tight budget.
That the Honduran rejected the offer is rather beside the point.
Perhaps these are the realities that the new manager is having to operate within.
What next?
Gary Hooper?
If the Armagh man is working to tight financial constraints, then that isn’t his fault.
Yesterday I spoke with one Square Mile chap who has a professional interest in football finance.
We first started conversing when Charles of Normandy was preparing the IPO for RIFC and we’ve remained in touch ever since.
When I laid out the known facts of the current Celtic situation, he stated to me that all of this looked like a major shareholder cleaning up the balance sheet before heading for the exit door.
Now, for the avoidance of doubt, that’s just his opinion based on decades of experience, but it is just that, an opinion.
However, if he is correct then none of that is Neil Lennon’s fault and folk shouldn’t lose sight of that fact.
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I don’t think Neil Lennon would have taken the full time role on again without cast iron assurances from Lawwell and/or Desmond that money would be invested.
The money is sat there both Lennon and Lawwell are acutely aware of the fact the Support know this.
They both stated and reaffirmed that they sat down in February and looked at the areas of the team than needed strengthening.
They are both also of the opinion we should come out of the wi Dow stronger than we go into it.
This can be achieved comfortably with the Capital we have available.
It can also be strengthened by selling one or two Assets as well.
I personally think Sinclairs co tract was extended with a view to moving him on for a price and that Ntcham could well be moved on too before he loses any more than what he is worth now.
£20m spend will sort our squad out.
Net spend with the sales of those two plus maybe Hendry and Eboue could see a net spend over all of around £10m.
Which still leaves a major chunk of cash for a marquee signing or the January window.
£20m spend will have little impact on the running of the Club as we have a plethora of players who now need moving on.
I’m fairly confident they will back Lenny and I think the panic merchants around blog land need to calm down.
Window opens on the 11th June I fully expect to see major movement early on in the window much like we seen in Lennys first full Season previous.
This is the time of year when imagination trumps logic. The past does not predict the future. None of Neil Lennons achievements or failures matter. For instance Tony Watt scored the winner against Barcelona and then what? Celtic have won far more trophies than any team in Scotland (far more than the 5 year old club) but that does not predict future success. A great team can triumph over a team of great players as we saw recently with the CL semifinal Liverpool v Barcelona 4-0, though not with Ajax v Spurs. I believe in fate. I have today been invited to teach in Istanbul 30th May 2020 and the CL final is played there that evening. I will pack my Hoops jersey. I am an optimist.
Sporting Lisbon might make the Final bud 👍🏼
Let’s not fall into the negativity trap being set by the MSSM.
Having failed to stop 8 IAR, their pet team has to halt Celtic’s march to 10 IAR next season or never.
Every opportunity will be taken to big up the Ibrox club whilst denegrating Celtic and our achievements.
It’s laughable to read headlines about the mess left in Glasgow city centre after the treble, treble celebrations.
Tens of thousands on the streets, what did they expect?
Unlike Manchester city centre when the Lord Mayor declared that the visiting hordes had caused more damage than the Luftwaffe during WW2, there was no such public statement from the Glasgow Lord Provost.
In fact given the amount of money Celtic bring to the Glasgow economy the Lord Provost should be extolling the deeds of Scotland’s biggest club and inviting the squad to a Civic reception in the City Chambers.
A treble treble will never be repeated, it’s historic and Glasgow should be basking in the limelight provided by Celtic.
Sounds like the excuses for Lennon have started before the season.
I think some people are getting carried away here. Would you rather splash cash on a “big name” manager whose main claim to fame is that they can spend 10’s of millions of pounds (which we don’t have) or someone who proved they could win with Celtic with less resources and who has learned their trade the hard way (i.e. through adversity). Job number one is to out-manoeuvre Gerrard and Sevco and secure 9 in a row. I am sure Lenny can do that. Job number two is advance the cause in Europe, and Lenny’s credentials there are arguably better than Brendan’s. We’ve been and remain fortunate to have had both these guys as managers, I believe Lawwell when he says he wants to win, his crime? Not setting the controls for the heart of the sun as Rangers did. I think he is a realist, I agree with Phil that our manager has to push back on Lawwell’s instinct to be overly parsimonius, but also to get more out of some the talent we have. Pair down the squad, stop stockpiling midfielders that never play and address the gaps that everyone and their uncle scream about every week. We’ve achieved the treble Treble, which is amazing, statistically it won’t go on that way forever, so we prioritise. We all know we want 10 in a row, and I personally believe Lenny can deliver that with the board and the fans’ backing…
Spot on Mike.
His name is Neil Lennon, not “Lennon” as he is referred to by the bigot trash of society that populate Scotland and it’s media.
So if austerity is the plan, why would Lennon sign up to it. If he fails to deliver titles 9 & 10, he will be remembered for nothing else. That’s a legacy I can’t see him being happy with.
Because he was an out of work manager, having left with his previous club 8th in the SPL and therefore with few options available and none of the prestige of the Celtic job.
Smoke and mirrors eh?
Sounds like there’s something afoot but what it is no one has a scooby.
For now, NL is in the hotseat so let’s get behind him.
Yesterday in the court of session.
Memorial walls ltd v the rangers football club ltd.
Do you know what this is about ?
It depends what you class as a major rebuild I suppose. An article is out today quoting Castagne saying there was 8million offer for him but his club wanted 12 million. If we spend that kind of money on 2-3 players and a few other options in I think I would be pretty happy!
To all the attendees and non attendees it is what it is Neil Lennon is our Manager so rather than mumping & moaning about it deal with it he is here for the next season no matter what get behind him and give him your support. Some of you are beginning to sound the supporters of another group that plying their trade on the south of the Clyde.
When are people going to realise that the current custodians of Celtic ( mainly 2 ) will NEVER invest in the playing squad in the way we would all like. Not in a million years.
There was clearly and so very obviously a major late in the day U turn to appoint NL.
I can assure you as someone who travels exstensively, NL is not at all well regarded as a good Coach or Manager.
Yet
This is pathetic and sounds like something you’d get over Ibrox way; “shut up and just support us, no matter what you think”.
This is an opinion piece and comments are open on it for people to add their own.
If you can’t handle anyone having an opinion different from yours perhaps you should head over to the official site where everything is rosy.
Lennon took over a team that had been in fine form, winning 9 straight games, scoring 3 goals per game and only losing 1 unsporting goal to Motherwell, who were in good form themselves but were dispatched 4-1.
In 4 Parkhead games since then there’s been 2 0-0s and 2 narrow wins, requiring late goals to secure, with not a lot of good football on offer.
Fans will continue to support the team but there isn’t an infinite patience machine.
Yes but look at the teams we beat in that run by comparison to the teams Lennon had to face.
I take your point partly but (there’s always a but):
We won tough away games at Killie and St J, suggesting we had, belatedly, got to grips with our poor away form. Also the final game was a fine 4-1 against Motherwell who had won all 6 league games since the resumption.
On the other side, we required a 97th minute goal to beat awful Dundee and have had 3 narrow wins against a poor Hearts.
Yes, the latter games may have been overall harder but, in my opinion, taking that into account, there’s still be a significant drop off of form and goal scoring.
This doesn’t mean it’s permanent but definitely for the watching!
Yes and then the Manager who had encouraged that turnaround in form against the Leagues weaker sides upped and walked out on them without so much as a goodbye.
I don’t think you realise or take into account just how much of an impact that type of behaviour can have on a Team.
Footballers are not robots btw the mental side of the game is just as important as the physical side.
Rodgers departure delivered a psychological blow.
Neil Lennon has to come in ,address that and get them ready mentally to take on 4 tough games in quick succession.
All the while with players he hadn’t coached or developed into playing a style he isn’t or doesn’t deploy himself.
1 Defeat(which came in a League already won and a few days before a major final) in 13 games and he delivered the League and Cup.
It doesn’t need to be pretty all it needed to be was effective.
Which it was.
Sorry this is not about the fans getting behind Lennon, this is now about the board getting behind him. If they do, the fans will see they are serious about going forward. If not then we will hear a lot of angry fans, and rightly so. Just my opinion HH.
People are forgetting or overlooking several key points with regard to the curious situation around Lenny’s hiring, Lawwell’ s statements and then your reporting above. And it is really frustrating not seeing anyone asking questions about it.
PL had 3 months since Rogers left to look for replacement managers. This vacancy didn’t just happen in last 2 weeks. If PL did not interview potential candidates then he seriously neglected his duty to club. When he says no one else was looked at/interviewed it’s an obvious lie; but why, to what end would he state that?
Lenny is a Celtic great, and I love him, but that doesn’t mean he is a great manager. He is what he is, has some plusses but also is only a middle of road manager IMO. The club should have aimed to have a replacement of same caliber as they lost. AND, they had £9M from Leicester with which to fund it!
Last piece. Why is there ANY suggestion that austerity should be the action plan? The club announced in the Accounts they are sitting on £30+M in the bank (plus the Leicester payoff since) and can certainly afford to buy any replacements needed. Why are reporters not asking more questions about just why they are holding on to It? Again, why and to what end?
I land somewhere in the middle as far as the rebuild goes. Actually agree with Lawell when he said “no major rebuild”, but the he used the qualifier “major” carefully I am sure. But a squad refresh/rebuild of some sort is desperately needed.
As I’ve said before, think they need 3 ready to step in and play positions filled; RB, CB & CF. There are also about 3 or 4 depth/bench players needed. As mentioned above, the money to do this, with plenty left over, is sitting in the bank right now. There can be no excuses for doing what everyone can see is needed. Hell mend them if they screw this up!
You whole piece is just what I have been posting in the comments for a long time now. Most recently on the 27th of may this year.
https://philmacgiollabhain.ie/2019/05/27/an-evidence-based-response-to-good-news/#more-13633
If Celtic do not invest heavily in the player squad in this window then we will not be champions next summer. Sevco have a bit of momentum happening, and at least they are signing people. Celtic appear not to be setting the heather on fire in the signing department, especially given the fact that champions league qualifiers will be upon us before we know it, and that a squad of players are leaving us soon.
I would bring Gary Hooper back mind you, as I think he is only in his early 30’s, and our type of play seemed to suit him really well?
No. They won’t. But Celtic need to sign a few players. If we lose the league, everyone above Brown should be tarred and feathered. Our wage bill is way too high to not win the league. Period.
We bought Maryan Shved in Jan and sent him back on loan, along with Gutman. We already have signings in place. There will be 3 – 5 quality players needed (not your Johnny Hayes type)
We are all Celtic. I hope Neil has done his due diligence, and that all the I’s are dotted and t’s are crossed. Behind the scenes at Celtic there is something in the wind. The appointment process of NFL did not sit right with me and I’m not criticising Neil there, but the board. Nothing is all it seems at Celtic we.have plenty of dosh for Neil to take us forward.
Another great piece of writing Phil 👍
Hail Hail
Hotels adjacent to The Celtic Way do not pay for themselves HH
The people who oppose(d) Lennon’s appointment are sane, rational ones who, in the main, attend games.
If the largely turgid pish of the last 3 months, especially at home, continues then no-one, including Lennon, will escape the fans ire.
If this annoys romantic inclined non-attenders then that’s just tough.
It certainly seems to have annoyed a rather emotional attendee !
I, too, attend all Home games and find the fare on offer far from torpid.
Nevertheless, I am told the Record,The Sun and Talksport tend to agree with you.
Can I call it `agreeing` if they said it first?
I don’t use those media outlets as information sources but, if you do, I won’t criticise, as you’re as entitled to use them, as I am to not.
Sorry James your wrong, wake up and see whats going on right in front of you, we are going backwards!
Fans have short memories. I can’t remember how many home games over the last few seasons under Rodgers in particular where our back four had more touches of the ball than the rest of the team put together.
It was stupefyingly boring, recycling the ball to no effect.
Sure we need more goals and more chances created.
I believe that will come and trust Lennon’s eye for a player to put that right.
The young lad Turnbull from Motherwell would be a decent start looking at his goal and assist tally from last season for a team who finished outwith the top 6.
If offers come in for Rogic and Ntcham I think we should take them. The former looks way off the pace and the latter is inconsistent at best.
If we get Keiran back next season fully functioning it will be akin to a major signing given the game time he’s missed this season.
Let’s celebrate our achievements and look forward to another season where we create more history.
How do you improve on a treble treble……a quadruple treble of course!
Bring it on.
As another, long time, attendee I also was against the appointment of Lenny. I’m fairly sure however that having an opinion doesn’t make me a zombie as a comment above implies. Nor does it mean that I won’t be totally behind him now he’s in. But I can see trouble ahead if things don’t run smoothly.
Well said The Cha, I’m a season ticket holder and the play has been exactly as you say turgid pish, and it ain’t gonna get any better.
With all due respect, to me that reads like;
“It’s not Lawwell’s fault, but Desmond’s….”
And any B/S analysis or exit strategy doesn’t detract from the fact that the permanent, managerial appointment process – as we know about it any away – just doesn’t stack up.
And has Lennon actually signed anything yet?