When Neil Lennon reported to the club doctor to explain the dark mood that had enveloped him the medic quickly diagnosed that the combative midfielder was suffering from depression.
I recall that the Armagh man related in an interview that his physician told him to “treat it like a hamstring injury” in terms of how long the episode would last.
Lennon was brave to be so open and honest about this, especially in the macho world of professional football.
In doing so he was helping others in a similar position to seek help.
By his example, he was sending a positive message.
Men are particularly unwilling to seek help for a mental health problem.
Of course, it should not be like that.
However, it is and that must be recognised.
There is professional unanimity within the clinical disciplines that help-seeking behaviour should be encouraged wherever possible.
Consequently, anything that prevents a person from reaching out should be actively discouraged.
Therefore, I find it saddening that, a decade after I wrote this piece, that prejudicial attitudes towards those with mental health problems remain extant.
I was happy to play my part and it wasn’t an easy decision.
The comments by Kris Boyd about Leigh Griffiths after the recent match at Kilmarnock were utterly unconscionable.
It took courage for the Celtic striker to be open with the world about what he as struggling with.
I hoped for a warm and understanding response from the football world for him because that would encourage others to reach out.
However, anything redolent of hostility and disparagement would simply send out a very harmful warning to those struggling in their own private hell.
In the main, it was the former and that was heartening.
The support that Leigh Griffiths received from those around him has been acknowledged by the player himself.
Eradicating outdated and dangerous views about mental health problems is a job for all of us.
That includes you too Mr Boyd.
One would have thought given his own advocacy that he would be fully on message.
Instead, he lashed out a player who had been honest about his mental health struggles.
Perhaps a period of quiet reflection would now be appropriate for the Kilmarnock legend.
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Watch for plenty of squirrel stories this week to deflect away from the result of being beaten by the team at the bottom of the league and who every pundit has predicted for relegation. Now all of a sudden a big hairy puddin and we are told Hearts are a good team and climbing the table to be in the top 6 you could not make it up . That was quotes on radio shortbread last night you would think it was a funeral parlour they had broadcast from as the mood in the studio was that LOW . Now that’s the mood losing one game think how it will be when they lose the league . Oh I wonder if wee Quark from Deep Space 9 aka alex rae will be on radio snyde tonight to explain away the defeat as well as snottery break Keevins.
Methinks a wee jam tart might go down well with my after-dinner cup of tea tonight.
I am not sure if it is related to the subject at hand but I feel, just let’s say, Neil Lennon’s attitude and demeanor has changed these last few months. When once he used to stand on the touchline barking encouragement and vitriol in equal measure at his team he, for the most part, seems to sit on the bench huddled within himself and appears to be unaware of the failings on the pitch. His returning to a lone striker pattern and familiar faces like Forrest points to someone under severe pressure. A comfort blanket if you will. I genuinely believe the job is too much for him and although difficult to walk away from, it would be in his and maybe the team’s best interests. There is still time for someone new to come in and hit the ground running. When all is said and done, it isn’t worth it if it is affecting your health. It is not as if he needs the money. Hope he proves me wrong.
What the hell? Gird the loins, Neil. There is also this thing whereby Sevco take one step forward and two, sometimes three, back. Looked like they angered the gods and were being driven mad these last 7 years. Why should 2020 be any difference? It will be even more delicious when it starts to go wrong on the field.
Bloody hell, I didn’t think it would happen so soon!
Sorry but I have to take umbrage with several of the points you made in the above post bud.
Neil Lennon has altered his approach to Management as his combative and combustible nature previously was getting him into no end of hot water with the powers at be.
If he seems less animated it is because he is now less animated by choice.
Better to be sat in a dugout where you can alter things or discuss things on the Park with both staff and players than being sat in a Stand unable to affect anything no?
He returned to a line striker v County due to the fact Édouard had an issue with a toe and deemed it too risky to play him from the off.
Both Bayo and Klimala have proved nothing yet that they can play in a pairing with Griffiths and so he decided to go with Griffiths.
For the record Leigh Griffiths scored 40 goals under Deila in a Season in a 4-2-3-1 set up for the bulk of that Season.
To date no other striker at Celtic has come close to that in the same setup.
James Forrest has always produced good football under Neil Lennon and whilst his form has been up and down all Season he TRUSTS Forrest to deliver in the wide area.
Forrest was solid enough yesterday throughout.
What you believe about the job being too big for him is frankly a ridiculous statement made by someone who hasn’t got the first clue about how big a job it is at Celtic.
Neil Lennon has and is doing fine.
Perhaps you could explain how it is he has managed to attain more points in the League at this point than the previous Manager did in the previous 2 Seasons WITH A GENUINE CHALLENGE FROM IBROX being mounted within it?
Don’t know if this helps or indeed will be allowed to get past muster but here’s a visual to the past 3 Seasons to this point in time
https://imgflip.com/i/3nabmk
Appreciate your interest but I believe most people think the football of late has been dire. I get your point about Lennon having to calm down but to sit there and watch that football and wait until the 70th minute to use a substitute is nonsense. Forrest will not play unless pushed, a la Paddy Roberts. “Solid enough” ain’t good enough for a player who is a special talent but as the “Hail Hail” website points out,(using stats) he has never done it against Sevco.”
“Lennon trusts Forrest to deliver…” Albert Einstein has a theory about that.
Ntcham is also very good but never kicked a ball in anger since his contract renewal.
Your sentence beginning “What you believe about the job being too big…” is rather confused but i get the drift. I thought I was saying it is a big job.
The reason he has accumulated more points is because Hearts, Hibs, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen, at least up until last week have imploded.
I hate it when a player comes and does well and for some reason is never seen again e.g. Shved,( came on turned the game around and even scored (injured? out of favour?) Henderson (papped) Scott Robertson (young but toughened the midfield(not even a reserve today)
Lennon is pretty guilty of this as he has his favourites. That is not great management.
The league cup was handed to him as I believe the league will be.
As Napoleon used to ask about his generals, “I know he is a good general but is he lucky?”
Up to now Lennon certainly has been.
Shake yer medals at him Lenny
The football under BR last season was, for the most part, mind-numbingly boring. And NOT particularly effective.
Good link. 10 points better off and and 8 goals more in GD than at the same 22 games played point last season.
The first trophy of the season in the cupboard.
Top of a European group for the first time with a club record points total. The first ever home and away victories over an Italian side. An Italian side challenging at the top of their league who have given Juventus their only defeats this season.
Forty competitive games played and only four defeats. One of them a dead rubber with a largely second string team out.
What MORE can the man do??
Other than in the head to head games (2-1 to Celtic at this point) he has NO control over how Sevco fare. Yet there are Celtic fans blaming Lenny for the fact that they are not dropping points.
It’s beyond absurd.
Both of you make a good point with regards the statistics but I think the football could be a lot more flowing and effective and I think that is where the manager comes in. I noticed that Ross County could have had four goals easily due to the defence being caught out with a lob over their heads. A slightly better team would have punished them. Who is supposed to organise them . My theory is that they are trying to do the work of the midfield and push too far up the field. Stein went bananas if the two full backs, Gemmell and Craig ventured fourth at the same time and the former said had he not scored in the Lisbon final when he did, Big Jock would have killed him for being up the park as Craig was already there. They also employed Clark as sweeper and they didn’t do too badly.
I think the team are so disorganised and Celtic playing with one striker is just wrong.
Mickey Johnston is in the media today claiming there is very little difference between Lennon and Rodgers with regards style. I think, therein lies the problem.
I am pleased you accept that there are others who are unhappy including a rather “prestigious” blogger who shall remain nameless.
With tongue firmly in cheek I suggest Nimmo Smith might be right…more money does not offer a sporting advantage i.e. if it is squandered or not used!
Spot Cyan. He’s no longer a rookie manager desperate to be back on the park. He’s ten years older, wiser, more mature…….maybe more comfortable in his own skin is a better way of putting it. The fire and passion are still there, but he now has more control over them.
I do hope Boyd has his beanie hat oops sorry tea-cosy hat on tomorrow so we can all laugh at him even more when he slabbers out his stats.
A wee squirrel story for tomorrow before Glasgow Rangers play their wee cousins from Edinburgh . Alfie to Real Marid to replace Gareth Bale .
Regards the rant from KB ,Does anyone here think that he could ever go on an 8 min rant about any other spfl clubs player ever ,
No chance .
IMO the presenters of the show should have intervened quickly to put a lid on his nonsense . Then again my opinion on sky sports coverage of Scottish football is so low ,that I was not surprised they gave the gobsh*te the time and leeway to trash talk a Celtic player .
For me sevco 2012 will not be selling morelos (phantom bids or not) this season as it’s now or never and that is what worries me Phil ,is this another Willow Flood window
Ah the tea-cosy man trying to do a wee bit of back tracking . Trying to save his career and keep the cash rolling in oh dear .
For someone hoping to develop a career on TV, I’m gobsmacked that he hasn’t – at time of writing this – apologised unreservedly to Griffiths.
…and it speaks volumes about KB himself as a person.
I am surprised no one else seems to have noticed Steve Clarke`s standing-like-a-stookie
posture last night, he made no effort to intervene. He just stood like a zombie with a smug grin under his beard, He could have intervened without being accused of favouritism. After all, Griffiths is one of his players as well as Celtic`s.
In fact, he was lapping it up.
Celtic shouldn`t allow any of their players near his squad.
Spot on EFFARR
No decent person would stand and listen to Boyds comments,unless he agrees with Boyd.On another point why don’t we see some of the horrendous tackles that Celtic players have endured,when these teams have Sevco as opponents.Moreorless seems to win plenty of free kicks,but never seems to be injured by tackles.Watching Celtic games it is obvious that the opponents know that the ref is “shall we say guided” to be unsighted.
Aye, and have you noticed that when he gets treatment after these vicious tackles he NEVER has to be substituted. Within a minute of getting back on his feet he’s running around looking for his next opportunity to dive…………sorry be chopped down!
Kris Boyd all that is missing from this guy is a tea-cosy hat . That is to keep his bald head warm before the politically correct cops get involved here . I know how sensitive people can be .
Instead of complaining….. ALL Celtic fans should cancel their sky tv contracts and stop buying the daily record… Mr Boyd will quickly become surplus to requirements.
Sadly however , Celtic fans are no less fickle than any others (one exception maybe) … they need their football fix and EPL methadone top-up. This comes before principles.
It’s just like the SFA issue…. starve them of Celtic generates revenue in cup games and national games and they might just become a bit less bent..
It won’t happen though.
There really were two elements to that piece. The “mental health” issue part and the “Kris Boyd as a pundit” part. There are probably many truly derogatory ways to describe Mr Boyd both as a man and as completely talentless pundit. I’m going to settle for a simple four letter one.
The man’s a dick!! As a man and as a pundit!! As I’ve noticed often in the past dicks tend to begat dicks. So there’s every chance his father, grandfather, great grandfather, and all his other ancestors were also dicks.
Boyd should stick to what he’s good at. I’m sure he’ll eventually find something he’s good at. When you do Kris, stick to it. Ya dick!!
On the one hand I find it encouraging that Griff has been given the support of the club and the vast majority of fans. On the other, I struggle to understand why an unapologetic moron like Boyd is given a platform to attack anyone.
The sad fact is that unless it starts costing them money, Sky will have no motivation to remove this lackwit from their presenting team. If we seriously want rid, the only recourse is to cancel your Sky Sports subscription and tell them the reason is the wholly unprofessional team they have commenting on Scottish football and make sure that Boyd is mentioned specifically.
It’s okay not to be okay , but it’s not okay to b a patron of a mental health charity and then belittle someone with mental health issues Kris Boyd shld be sacked and sky sports shld issue an apology for his comments
Well written and succinct ,
I am not a fan of KB and especially when he is in the Sky team at Celtic games,
if I’m honest I would prefer he was nowhere near the booth or my living room when Celtic are playing or any other team for that matter.
Not for what he uttered on live TV on Wednesday night, but because he is so obviously out his depth and lacks the wherewithal to carry out the role, basically he hasn’t got what it takes (I’m being kind).
Whilst I understand, he is trying to cut his teeth , in the ‘sports pundit ’ world , (he clearly had done some research on LGs stats) (accurate or not )
But at the same time I do not want to hang him for it , he made a mistake, when he done his research, he may have thought it to be a good idea but it was not , an own goal of seismic proportions, he will struggle now to hold his post , I hope he does but I hope he takes time to reflect and realise, he as a pundit , this is a serious illness, he should know better and probably does but he must be impartial, keep personal issues far from the field , if he does that he wins over the audience, perhaps he should watch some Chris Sutton videos, CS is a good example I think of getting the points across , giving praise where it’s due (whoever the team) being controversial but within the accepted parameters.
On another note Phil , what was that tackle all about on JF the size of that roaster could have done serious damage to that kid and nowt said again about it , these instances are now racking up, it’s a disgrace AM did not think that warranted a caution, it’s a straight Red in my book.
‘You hope he does’ keep his job!
You say that as if he deserves to keep his job!…
What,to drone on and bore us All with his totally ibrox-blinkered,light blue view that is neither enlightening,entertaining nor informative?
KRIS VOID struggles to put a sensible,intelligent sentence together and you want him to keep his job!
ANY Celtic supporter that still buys the dr has serious issues as to … WHY?
I can honestly say VOID has never been informing nor entertaining ANYTIME I’ve endured him,in fact;I usually mute him….obviously on a free streaming service.
I personally wouldn’t take SLY sports for FREE;even if they paid me to watch it and Jeff ‘THE TADGER ‘ Stelling himself came to install it.They are All part of the cabal,TV,bookies,sfa,SPFL,etc etc
All part of ‘it’s the same team’ brigade.And there may be another addition to that real soon…
But it’s ok because you want VOID to keep his job.I’d laugh if it wasn’t so sad.
VOID should be sacked,sign the petition,the link is on my earlier post,bottom of this page.
Of course that’s dependent on Phil permitting this comment.🍀
ps.James your 9 line sentence has to be a 🌏record….THIS is a FULL STOP … … … .
I’m not sure he’s “cutting his teeth” as a pundit, as he’s been doing it for a few years already.
Also, his stats were plain wrong.
Regardless of this, is the basic fact that these stats make no provision for games missing due to MH issues, which makes there presentation deeply flawed and meaningless.
I can’t fathom why Boyd would do this given the tragic circumstances of his brother’s MH issues.
Football rivalry surely doesn’t come into it.
Bang on Phil. It’s truly horrible to watch what this illness can do to ANYONE but particularly horrible when it’s someone close to you.
The sheer insensitivity of people NEVER ceases to shock me. I remember being acutely embarrassed by Celtic fans when they started the, “Two Andy Gorams, there’s only two Andy Gorams” chant.
Calling him all the reptilian huns of the day was par for the course but making fun of a man’s health issues is not acceptable. Whoever he is.
When it comes to football fans of any persuasion they can be equally capable of wonderful empathy or vicious verbal cruelty.
Strange, is it not, that EBT and bankrupt Ferguson has backed Leigh? I wonder if he’d have been so up front had the recent Morelos debacle not occurred?
Note also how Scott Brown referred to the tackle on Frimpong; had he don it the SMSM would have been calling for his head.
Imagine Brown had done a cut throat gesture to the Klan. Those defending El Gruffalo would be apoplectic.
Boyd is not even remotely interesting as a pundit. He, along with Commons, produce cringeworthingly boring fare each and every time they appear on Sly TV.
It is akin to two blokes sitting in front of a pinhole camera in their front room. No thought, no research, nothing! Absolutely embarrassing from a company that offer nothing to Scottish football.
What do Celtic do? Use the Daily Record as their mouthpiece.
You couldn’t make this garbage up.
Boyd will continue unabated. Again, we can do feck all.
The difference being, although a good player, Brown is a thug with a history of bad and dangerous tackles. I lost count of the number of times during the Killie game he had a sly dig or push, deliberately looking over his shoulder and stepping into the path of a Killie player. Can’t understand a player of his ability doing such sly fouls, it’s totally unbecoming of a professional player
Complete fallacy
Jim, you’re entitled to your view on Brown and I respect yours. Referring to a sly dig or push would cover every player in every league in the world and, therefore, is hardly worth describing as thuggish. I would be lying if there were times when I didn’t find him petulant.
Compare him to Morelos and he is nowhere near that level of thuggery/cheating.
Again, ask yourself why Morelos can make a cut throat gesture to the crowd at Celtic Park and be defended by the Ibrox Tribute Act – who cheat at will with officials backing – and media alike then consider the reaction had Brown done it?
As Brown himself has stated, the tackle on Frimpong was dangerous and wreckless; would the media have reacted similarly had it been him?
For all his faults, I find it hard to give credence to your claim that he is, indeed, a thing.
Or had the tackle been made on a sevco player.
The game has turned into a big”sissy” game ,also to many snowflakes the tackles like McNeill and greig and the songs that both sets of fans sang would have us all staying in to do the knitting.Oh I miss they matches .
Do you have a list of these incidents involving Scott Brown?
Without unduly taxing my memory i can think of a couple of dozen players presently plying their trade in Scotland’s top league who make Broony look like a choirboy. A hard player who takes no prisoners he is. A thug he is most certainly not.
He takes it a helluva lot more than he dishes it out and rarely responds with more than a sarcastic, “Is that your best?” smile towards his assailant.
In response to his comments on the assault on young Frimpong he was 100% correct. If he had made such a tackle the clamour for a retrospective red in the Scottish media would have been hysterical.
If the tackle had been made on a sevco player it would have gone beyond hysterical.
If Broony himself had made that tackle on a sevco player there would have been calls in the media for police involvement.
It obviously can’t happen, but I wish Broony could play forever. Replacing him is going to be a bigger challenge than winning a triple treble.
Our best, most influential and by a mile most successful captain since Cesar.
Obviously a lot of green tint in the optical business these days. You say if Brown had done this to a Sevco player? If he had I would be sending him birthday and Christmas cards for ever.
Kev, as for Morelos it was nice to see him getting the cards he deserved, but now they are fighting for the top, I can see him getting away with a lot before the end of the season.
Just wish the clown judge would put them out of their misery, being from London I would have though he had the balls to pronounce a verdict. Obviously the ludge has a say down there too eh?
All you have to do is Google Freemasons and the English Legal System.
Jim Thomas………you really are a complete (in my humble opinion) and utter fool,or you are someone best described as a….. u .
I thought you may have something to say about this dreadful experience from one who really should know better.Indeed,you’d think it nigh impossible considering he helped set up a charity for this very thing.Maybe,he too suffers from Alastair Johnson disease,selective memory disorder.
Yes,Mr.Kris(or,to give him his full title,mr.talk shite aw night) Void really should suffer consequences for his unfeeling and heartless comments.I signed a petition to have him removed,(link to sign below)hopefully,from the SLY sports Scotland commentary team.He is far from impartial and I cannot say that he entertains myself with his insight,or probably most Scottish football fans,for he cannot hide his love for all things emanating from the black hole money-pit that is ibrox park.He really should do a lot better.
Thanks Phil🇮🇪
https://www.change.org/p/sky-sports-sack-kris-boyd
Boyd is trying to redeem himself with the Klan even the word DENSE does not relate to him and his thoughts . He should be looking at his P45 from Sky . But that wont happen anytime soon he is probably working on some new material to spew out at our players and club on his next game he attempts to be a pundit.
Also, had you ever noticed how he always butts in whilst his co-presenter is making a point. Several times on todays game he would just butt in whilst McCann was trying to make a point.