It is difficult to get away from the idea that Neil Lennon has just had his Tony Mowbray moment at an empty Celtic Park.
A decade ago, after a calamitous defeat to St Mirren, it as finally over for the likeable Englishman.
Of course, it was Lenny, then the Celtic youth coach who was brought in as caretaker.
The sight of Neil Frances Lennon in the dugout at ignited something very dark in Fair Caledonia.
The man from Lurgan then endured several assaults from dignified types.
His mailbag would include bullets and an attempted IED, and several men were sent to prison for various attacks on the Irishman.
Most people who have crumbled under that pressure, especially as his young family had to adapt to live with bodyguards and panic buttons.
Neil was a tough competitor as a player, and he knows that he is in an unforgiving business.
These words are difficult to write.
I like the man and what he has endured in two decades associated with the Parkhead cause shames modern Scotland.
As I have already reported after the derby defeat, Neil had a rather uncomfortable on-screen chat with the man who calls the shots at Celtic.
Mr Desmond does not like failure, and my information is that he was in Glasgow for the European match.
What I have not reported until now is that I was told late last week that possible replacements had been considered.
My information is that the representatives of two managers who are currently based in England were contacted for exploratory talks in London.
I know the identities of both men.
Frankly, I’m uncomfortable writing about this as there is currently no vacancy at Celtic for a first-team manager.
However, when the guy in the dugout needs the next result, then it is already over, and only the timescale is to be decided.
Failure to win all three points against Motherwell will probably be the final act.
Then there is the international break.
That is enough time for this unpleasant business to be concluded if the folk in charge at Celtic feel that a change needs to be made.
I’ve spoken with several people in the professional coaching word over the last few weeks, and they have all said the same thing:
That Celtic don’t look organised.
One of the things about Tony Mowbray’s time at Parkhead was the feeling that confusion was the order of the day.
Neil’s post-match observations about the attitude, culture and lack of work ethic among his players sounded like a guy at the end of the road.
When a manager uses the word “lazy” to describe his players then it usually doesn’t end well.
I wrote at the start of this historic season that the only thing that would stop Celtic was Celtic.
That is still my view.
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Keep Lenny as Number #2 and bring back Martin till end of season…. Job done
I would keep Neil Francis Lennon as Number 2 and bring back Martin… Job done.
Forget what you think you know and what you feel. The facts are these – we replaced a top EPL manager with a manager “released” by Bolton and Hibs. What would a rational person consider to be the likely outcome?
Personally, I think if Neil Lennon is sacked soon then we can kiss the 10 goodbye, for this whole sorry episode will take time to recover from. A new manager would struggle to get the best out of a disheartened squad, we don’t have that time and for that reason I say we stick with Lenny, He is our only hope of someone emerging from this curent malaise and getting us back on the right track, It is not the time to experiment with a new manager, so let him win the Quadruple Treble, concentrate on league business and forget about Europe. If the Huns continue beyond the group stages it will be a bonus for us as they will be committed to playing additional ties and hopefully that will be to our advantage,
This is not a vote of confidence in NFL, but my realistic view of what may lie ahead if we do pull the plug on him
COYBIG.
I agree wholeheartedly.
I agree 2, Mon the hoops!
Disagree wholeheartedly.
At the fag end of the Deila debacle, fans wanted rid of “finished” players like Brown, Forrest, Lustig etc.
Essentially the one key change was made and those “finished” players became crucial to our Invincible success.
Yes, we don’t have a close season to work on things but we don’t have bad players (certainly not in Scotland), so its all down to bad management, poor coaching, fitness routines etc .
There’s 1 key person responsible for this shambles, he hasn’t addressed it all season despite numerous warning signs and to now say he’ll look at it 4 months down the line proces he’s not the man and needs to go now.
Lennon will always be a Celtic legend and we do forget sometimes just how much the mhan has been through for the club,he will always be respected but like Tommy Burns before him,his managerial career at Celtic has run its course and it’s time for new ideas, I don’t blame Neil, the blame lies with Desmond for his continued reliance on Peter Lawwell who has far too much power at the club and has had it for far too long, his job was to find a replacement for Neil which he never bothered doing, that is where the blame lies.
I agree that Lawwel is really the culprit who has overseen this debacle. Neil is the fall guy for any failure but has brought it on himself. He allowed Kennedy & Strachan junior to be foisted on him instead of insisting on bringing in his own team. Both are of no help whatsoever.
As a defensive coach Kennedy has proved time & time again to be a total disaster & how on earth he has managed to hang around the club so long to become Assistant Manager is beyond me. Things have gone drastically downhill since Duff left as well & what possible experience could be brought to the club with the ex-Peterborough coach Strachan Junior?
Lawwell totally blew the chance to get McGinn who was a ready made replacement for Brown as his career wains & if reports are to be believed that Lennon really wanted Toney why didnt Lawwell get him? Lennon has been a great servant of the club as a player & manager first time around but I think it was a mistake to appoint him a second time as the cheap option & sad to see how things appear to be going belly-up for him.
For some time this has been inevitable. Like you I like, admire and respect Lennon. He has done much for the club both on and off the field and has done it with a dignity which isnt apparent at other clubs, young and old. It remains, however, that, as coaches, he and his team have bern overtaken by Gerrard and his acolytes. This may sound cruel but Neil should have been stood down a month ago…if not before. This said, however, there remains only one Neil Lennon.
Lennon was appointed after winning the Scottish Cup, I think he be will sacked If still there, after he loses this one! but I hope he goes before SUNDAY, or it WILL be to late!
Surely not waiting on a defeat at Motherwell for Lenny to be sacked! +
Great article Phil as always. Lennon has certainly been a great servant to Celtic over the years no doubts. In my honest opinion however I believe the relationship with his players has gone completely stale for whatever reasons I’m not sure, perhaps disillusionment and a resultant failure to buy in to the the tactics, or lack of, being deployed by Neil & his coaching staff?? Kennedy the ‘Defensive’ Coach has a lot to answer for we’ve shipped 14 goals in 6 games.Basic organisation at set pieces is even beyond us.!!
I commented after the Sevco game that it was the most hopeless performance I’d witnessed in a game against them (new or old edition) and I stand by that. Last night at home to Sparta must rank pretty highly as one of the worst European performances ever! This Sparta team were missing 7 first team players had a 17 year old in the middle of the park plus their third choice goalkeeper between the sticks!! What happens now…. don’t think Neil will be sacked but will be gently nudged to hand in his resignation regardless of what the result is Sunday.
Only Celtic will stop themselves. Neil Lennon is not Celtic, he is part of it. He doesn’t cross the white line. Players attitudes and ego have stopped Celtic. We should back Lenny. Concentrate fully on league, use anything else to try players and tactics. Forget about the gibes at all things from Ibrox. Those who live in glasshouse street……
**** Important ****
I was lucky enough to win a competition to attend a Celtic match with full boardroom access. It was the Kilmarnock game immediately following Tony Mowbray’s sacking. My guide was an entertaining high ranking Coers executive who had once been interviewed for the SFA chief exec role – which Gordon Smith mysteriously got despite being woefully underqualified. I was welcomed in by Big Billy and got good access to John Reid, Peter Lawell and Jack McGinn. I said to Reid and Lawell that the short list that led to Mowbray’s appointment lacked ambition, was not Celric class and appeared parochial. John Reid’s reply astonished me. ‘The Celtic job is not as big a job as it used to be’. I took issue straight away and told him he was totally wrong. I asked Jack McGinn the same question. Totally different answer. Throw it open and see who is interested. Otherwise we wouldn’t have got Wim Jansen. Reid went on to elaborate that Martin O Neill departed Celtic with the club £20M in the red but by the time Gordon Strachan left this figure was reduced to £2M. I can’t emphasise enough how much Lawell and Reid loved Strachan.
So what did they do ?? Went for the cheap option in Neil Lennon. That should have only been temporary because the embarrassing defeat at Hampden to Ross County should have seen his tenure ended. Anyway he got the job. He was a quick, lazy fix – a perfect appointment for Lawell and Reid and it led to the following
Cup losses to Sevco, Morton, Hearts, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and St Mirren
2 home cup losses in the same season for the first time in 40 years
A league loss at Inverness when a draw would have sufficed where he played a small attacking team against the physical Highlanders
We’ll never know how good he was because Rangers expired before he could win a league. I think he was rotten.
So after 8 was achieved it was pure form for Lawell to go for the cheap option. Reid may have gone but small thinking still pervades. The arrogance of not interviewing alternatives was a dereliction of duty. Loads of fans were incensed by his permanent appointment but it was universally welcomed by Sevco fans tells it’s own story.
So now we have Cluj, Copenhagen, Ferencvaros, Milan and Sparta Prague to add to the list of shame. Plus 3 consecutive matches against Sevco where we have been played off the park. 3 consecutive home losses for the first time in more than 30 years.
For a club that prides itself in knowing its history the appointments of Neil Lennon would appear to suggest the board and many fans don’t. Like or loathe Brendan Rodgers his appointment brought in modern coaching, a calm presence on the touchline and unparalleled success. That has been stripped away in under 2 years. That is unforgivable but plenty of astute observers accurately predicted it. It’s not just Neil Lennon who should go. Lawell must depart too and this inferiority complex.
No more small thinking at this great club. We have no chance of progressing in Europe but it’s not to late for 10. A time for bravery and decisiveness.
Good post.
Thank You
Rangers were still there the season he won his first title. And with a far stronger and more experienced side than they have now and a far more experienced manager in charge. Celtic were 8 points clear when Rangers went in to admin. After that you can only beat what’s in front of you..
To the best of my knowledge NO top flight team in ANY country has changed manager this far into a season and gone on to win the league the same season. The new manager bounce is a myth. It NEVER lasts more than a handful of games.
I’ve given you a list of just some of the teams in front of him that he couldn’t beat. You’re making excuses for him.
He’s been involved in 5 of the 9 league wins
First season – lost a cup semi to Ross County
2nd season – tosses league away at Inverness
3rd Season – Rangers fold wins league
4th season ‘- Wins League – No Sevco
5th Seasin – Wins League – No Sevco
Leaves over transfer budget dispute.
6th Season – wins league after Sevco collapse
7th Season – league called early, 2 games outstanding against Sevco. Played off the park in league cup final but wins. Cluj Copenhagen
8th season – played off the park by Sevco at home and lose. Ferencvaros, Sparta and Milan
He is no different to Ronny Delia and he was unceremoniously removed. You’re ignoring history and you’re ignoring facts.
Great Post. Agree with every word.
Yes, I am inclined to agree, his time is up. I would be real sorry to see him leave – I can think of no better person to be in charge the day the 10th title in a row is won (apoplectic wouldn’t even start to describe their reactions) but the longer Neil is in charge, the less likely No. 10 is in coming. A shame the way it has worked out.
The only thing that will stop Celtic is Lenny. Personally hope he’s still in charge for the SC final.
Changing out defence requires some time to “bed in”, and even with good acquisitions this can be a problem. This year, that time is over and we look porous at the back; system and personnel change needed on the field, and sadly perhaps off it as well. Best to get it over with now, otherwise it will just get worse (can’t help think about the same for Covid in this respect!)
The defence hasn’t had time to bed in. Julien has been out for weeks. Ajer is now out as well. Biton is NOT a natural CB. He can fill in there domestically but not at European level. I’m prepared to give Duffy time but I am far from impressed so far.
We still do NOT have enough cover at CB.
Actually, here’s one I’d throw out there. I think Laxalt could be a temporary CB. He can tackle and he can head and he has the heart of a lion. He has been by far our most consistent player since he arrived.
NFL will always be held in high esteem as a person by all of the Celtic family, but unfortunately as a manager it was a road tae failure, the job was always beyond him fulltime, a coaching role or assistant manager at best, we are now witnessing a clusterfuck both on and off the park at Celtic, Lennon has survived longer than most managers would have simply because of his past with Celtic, has the Lennon experience failed..MASSIVELY…is it a perfect time tae sack the manager, NO..do we need tae sack the manager..ABSOLUTELY…KTF
Hi Phil
Succinct and so very accurate as ever.
I do hope Eddie Howe is not one of those names, my own preference would be the Wolves manager, that’s if NL were to go?
I am have nothing but admiration for NL , what he has had to endure ,in his time here is well documented but I feel it’s now slipping away from him, for whatever reason?
I do think that there is most definitely a fitness issue, players left to there own devices over lockdown didn’t help.
The fact he leaves the tactics to others imo is not good , I like a manager to be tactically aware and have not just plan B but C & D as well.
It’s not looking good at the moment, losing the players at crucial times added to the equation but the buck stops with the manager.
It’ll be an interesting few days ahead.
There is absolutely no way the Wolves manager would consider coming to Celtic, or Rangers, for that matter. He is managing a well-financed club in the world’s richest league and would be on the shortlist for any of Europe’s top jobs, should he fancy a change. Coming to Scotland would be a hugely retrograde step.
Soro , Turnbull and Henderson cannot get a game. Duffy is a good strong defender in a system which suits his strengths. Frimpong goes glory seeking with the forwards but forgets to get back leaving the defence exposed. Brown cannot do 3 games a week at his age. Edouard and Ntcham don’t look up for it. Sutton’s comment on Grif was a disgrace the guy has scored a goal in almost every game he has been utilised. Substitutions are bizarre and often late. Sorry I love and respect Lennon but his time has passed.
I hope and PRAY that Moyes isn’t one either.
We have the most expensively assembled side in Scotland, it’s full of international players and we cannot get a result against an under strength Czech side. The buck stops with the manager I am sorry to say
I agree totally, Phil, I like the guy too. He has given so much to Celtic and endured more at the hands of morons than anyone should ever have to. However, the team has lost it’s way and it looks like an injection of new ideas is desperately required; I don’t think Neil can do that now.
I’d love to see him pick up the 10th league trophy, because it was he who started it all off and I think he deserves it. That may no happen now.
Yeah, I am a bit angry about these last few performances too, but there is absolutely no need for some of the nastiness we’re seeing and hearing from our own. Lennon gets more than enough shit from the other mob.
Whatever happens now, Celtic people should remember the good things Neil Lennon has done for our Club — there have been plenty of those.
We all loved Lenny. He will be remembered a a legend. But he should now go in a dignified manner as this could get ugly. Bring in Eddie Howe assisted by Henrik. Then the 10 will still happen.
Where do my comments go?
Yes its always tough when such a faithful servant isn’t cutting it any more, but these defeats, in tenms of how we are playing and setting up are like groundhog day – zero lessons are being learned, both defensively and in how we blunt our attack – midfield its got to be said, we are magical – but at either end of the pitch, sadly, we are awful, specially in context of the resources available.
HH
Phil. Hope this finds you and yours in fine fettle. I love Lenny and the great memories he brought us all l, as a player and a manager, will never be forgotten. That said, everyone’s time eventually comes and, as much as it pains me to say it, it does feel like the end of the road. However, if he does go, his legacy should not be tarnished by the way it ended. The players also need to take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror after this. He put up with bombs and billets for the club he loved, not just the usual pressures, and was there for us when we were shafted by the perma-tanned fake. In judging his tenure, none of that should be forgotten.
I love NL but his time is over. Football rightly or wrongly has moved beyond the fiery tracksuit manager. We lack structure and discipline and it would be a challenge to find many players that have improved under NL. Many are going backwards and declining in value to the team and value in the transfer market. NL’s team peaked in Rome. His failure to figure out Rangers at the end of December and the home game against Copenhagen in the new year was the start of the end. Yes we had a run of results that won the title but Eddy was on fire. That’s is the problem with NL’s teams they rely on the brilliance of the individual and not the structure of the team. The performances of the team this year have been average. The team selection against Ferencvarosi was bewildering. Millions lost in the CL and a squad declining in value in the EL.
He’ll get the Motherwell game and if we win a stay of execution. However, we’ll falter again because the team is broken. The fact that he would get that stay speaks for the incompetence above him. If he is replaced I have no faith that we make the correct decision. Perhaps MON until the end of the season, that type of Celtic minded selection. Whether we win 10 or not the club has a huge rebuild. Is this season the end of the line for Ajer, Bitton, Brown, Macgregor, Eduard, Christie and Rogic? The riches of other leagues await and the three loanees return to their clubs.
Football goes in cycles. Our period of domination is ending and Rangers may be beginning. It should never have come to this and NL appointment was a gamble that sent the dominos falling.
Last night’s abject failure is purely and simply down to NL. I thought we had turned a corner after the rousing 1st half display at Lille and last weekends win but this is a step to far.
I cannot and will not defend this guy any longer. Do the decent thing for the club you say you love Neil and step out.
This season:
After early turgid performances it was “shut up, we’re winning, there’s no problem”.
Of course after Ferencvaros he said “We have to do better. Get your mentality right, get your attitude right, If some of you don’t want to be here, leave. Let us work with players who want to be here.” No player left.
Then a few victories and everything’s great again then Rangers “you’re all just hysterical, there’s no problems”
It was only 4 days ago he was saying “”I’ve never questioned their character. Other people do and I don’t know why.”
And now we need a “culture change” that can happen “pretty quickly”.
It should be noted that Sparta had 7 changes due to Covid, injuries and utilised reserve/youth players and haven’t played domestic football for a month.
They didn’t use these as an excuse to underperform (cf our “poor pitiful us” repeated routine to mask our soft underbelly and recent shocking performances).
It should be over, which will hopefully be a relief to him, but with Lawwell’s typical indecision it won’t happen until too late or we’ll appoint one of his cronies like Strachan when we shouldn’t be going further back to the future.
Great guy. I just hope he can turn it around but it’s doubtful. He will always be a Celtic great regardless
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Everybody knew that it would be only Celtic who would stop Celtic from winning the 10 and Neil Lennon was the ideal choice for such an outcome.
He should have been shown the door last summer and as we all know he got the job as he was the cheapest option.
His signings this transfer window have been catastrophic though I hope Turnbull will be the saving grace when he is at long last given a chance.
I seen many Celtic goalkeepers going as far back as Frank Haffey but I’ve not seen one as inept as Barkas.
Central defender Shane Duffy seems to get worse with every game he plays.
The team are being led off a cliff and NL has to go.Mowbray was sacked for less.
Should have been sacked after the Old Firm game. Completely lost the dressing room. They are not playing for him. Neil Lennon is the biggest obstacle to 10 Phil as I posted a month ago. Cost us Champions League money and now Europa money- when in the grip of a pandemic and revenue down massively. I’m surprised Desmond procrastinated so long. A Celtic legend on the park and secured the treble at a difficult time when Rodgers left and for that we should always hold him in esteem. Sadly, he can’t take us forward but I fear we’ve been too long in taking action. It’s been clear the players hate him and it looks like it’s reciprocated. McGregor desperate to throw him under the bus in the interview post match -Obviously remembering how he did that to all the players after Ferencvaros.
In my opinion you need to be more objective in your deliberations and articles regarding Neil – you pride yourself in not being part of the Scottish stenography core Phil -but do yourself a disservice by not “calling it as it is regarding Neil”
Loyalty is important but mustn’t be blind.
Experience tells me, although I wish it didnt, it’s now inevitable that Lenny’s stewardship is over.
He answered the call when we were in need.
A 100% Celtic man. From womb to tomb.
My thoughts are if Celtic don’t make the change soon we won’t see 10.
I think it might already be too late. Getting kicked out the champions league should have been the wake up call, but everyone seems to have slept through that alarm.