Time up for a great Celt

For the avoidance of doubt, source protection is non-negotiable.

That means that you sometimes have to sit on something that you already know.

The week after the derby defeat on October 17th, a very well-placed source told me that a senior functionary within the Dermot Desmon empire had reached out.

However, my guy said that I had to keep it to myself at the time, and I abided by that.

Today he permitted me to publish what he had told me weeks ago.

After the match against Sevco Neil Lennon was told he was on a yellow card.

Talks were then held with these two Irishmen.

I understand that representatives of Eddie Howe were also contacted about taking the Celtic job.

There was also a third potential replacement approached.

However, I do not know the identity of that individual.

Last week the same well-placed source told me that representatives of two of the three possibles had asked Celtic for digital packages of previous matches.

That, to me, indicates interest.

Dear reader, I feel very uncomfortable writing this as there is currently no managerial vacancy at Parkhead.

However, after the weekend it must now be self-evident that Neil’s time in the Celtic dugout is over.

This was my Twitter reaction after the score draw with Hibs.

My sense of it all is that I’m watching a very decent guy who is totally spent.

Consequently, the kindest thing would be to take him out of the firing line.

Next up today is Rugger Guy’s analysis of the RIFC yearend accounts.

A deep dive in and a long read but well worth it.

16 thoughts on “Time up for a great Celt”

  1. I did not want Lennon to be appointed and said so on here. Gone by Christmas. So credit to me as I did not specify which one. I have to say this though. I have never seen an individual error rate like it in all my years of watching Celtic. Watch the 5 goals we lost at Easter road and Pittodrie. And a good few other places. In Lennon’s defence if you keep shooting yourself in the head then a doctor, or a manager, cannot save you. Ask Ntcham and Brown why they gave away ridiculous penalties. Or Duffy why he cannot kick a ball out. Or Elhamed in the CL? You could go on and on. I do not know if any manager could overcome such self-destructive behavior.

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  2. Strongly backed Lennie up to the Hibs game..Sorry to say we need an inspirational change immediately and to the the end of the season.O’Neil and Keane would be great in the short term but we need (I think) a young proven manager like Eddie Howe to take us on from there..

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    • O’NEILL had lost his mojo when he left here in 2005. Keane is a loose cannon on a short fuse.

      IF Lenny is to be replaced, we need a manager with some kind of European pedigree and a winning track record. Howe does NOT come into that category.

      Personally I think changing manager at this stage would be giving up ANY chance of the 10

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  3. What worries me as much as anything that we’re doing wrong…is what they’re doing right.
    Much as I detest Sevco…it would be churlish not to acknowledge the gap that has emerged between them and us…and to see why.
    They are playing with a structured freedom and confidence which we currently lack…and when you add the quality of opposition in Scotland into the mix…then you have a recipe for impending disaster.
    It may well be that on the very odd occasion in the future…some team (s) will take something from them…but based on what I’m watching just now…that is going to have to be down to us…and that is why the situation needs addressed.
    There is nothing to suggest that by retaining the current management team our troubled situation will change any time soon…and so…much as I respect NL…I have to say that the success and well being of Celtic FC comes first…and for that reason…changes have to be made….and made now.

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  4. If and when Lennon goes I’m afraid Kennedy must also. Yes he is loyal to the club and a lovely guy, but he has been the defensive coach for years and during his tenure we have had a dreadful defence. All parties would leave with nothing but kindness and gratitude from me. They stepped up when it was needed and they have a history with the club we mustn’t overlook. They are not performing at the level we require right now (for whatever reason) and the club must come first. But Lennon will never be anything but a Celtic great for me. 2nd spells (whether for players or managers) never seem to work out at Celtic.

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    • Totally agree with your JK observation…I was obviously pleased that the Club looked after him after his injury…but he is obviously not cut out for defensive coaching duties …our defence is dire…But then I ‘ve said for years…there is little discipline in our defence over 90 minutes…too much emphasis on ” playing football “…and not enough on defending.
      And when you play two full backs as wingers…??…What do you expect.
      I really hoped Duffy would be the foundation we needed …but it’s not happening…he’s a bomb scare at times…
      Big change needed.

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      • Bang on regarding both Kennedy and Duffy. He’s an accident waiting to happen every time he tries to play football. He has NO awareness of what’s happening or who’s around him when he has the ball at his feet.

        If he stuck to basic defending, clearing the ball up the park with either the head or the foot, he’d do short term. As a footballer who can carry the ball up the park from defence, sorry he just doesn’t cut it.

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  5. O’Neill past it and lost his drive while Keane is a proven dressing room wrecker in a management role. Go for broke and rescue a currently lost title; Rafa Benitez, in the same way we did with Brendan Rodgers. Don’t get sucked into green tinted choices – please sort this, Mr D.

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  6. You once said that the only thing to stop Celtic, is Celtic themselves and you may well be correct. With all in in-fighting among the Celtic Support and the constant negativity from all quarters, including this post now, then maybe it’s time for Lenny to go. Personally I hope not and would love him to prove a lot of people wrong (again) by firstly delivering a 4th straight Scottish Cup and Treble, then pulling back the not insurmountable gap with Sevco. Lenny is a true Celt and legend and deserves a little more time to hopefully turn things around for our beloved Club. The overall form of the team has been erratic and not helped by numerous issues such as Bolingoli, Covid, player injuries etc, but things can change in football very quickly and I hope Lenny stays to see it happen.

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    • I totally agree. The hysteria surrounding the club right now is the same as last December.

      When a boat is in stormy seas, throwing the captain overboard will do nothing to calm them.

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  7. Well it wasn’t Martin O’Neill & Roy Kean that asked for ‘Digital packages’ that’s for sure.
    Eddie Howe on the other hand would not know a great deal of Scottish football, or we must assume the wild card.
    I would have thought a phone call to Brendan Rogers would also be on the cards.
    I’m genuinely gutted for Neil Lennon and how this season is panning out , I cannot quite believe it but believe it we must.
    We are not in the December crunch period yet tho and there is plenty to play for.

    Let’s hope the best team in Scotland pull together, if they do , there is only one winner and we can celebrate 10 in a row.

    Reply
    • People are blaming PL for the way NL was appointed. It wasn’t the best!!!!
      I’m not sure that appealing to DD is the answer as it is my understanding that it was under his direct instructions that NL was appointed in the manner in which he was.
      As in do it now!!!

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  8. Yes , Mr Lennon has done all he can with this squad , Kennedy is a seat warmer not an assistant ,too many players taking their own ego onto the park and not playing as part of a team . Time for some serious shake up , Mr O’Neill and Mr Keane please get over to Paradise and make us great again

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  9. Surely Neil Lennon would be in the loop about this development. If so maybe that’s why the tools were packed after the sevco game fiasco .. that’s a worry coz if he wasn’t pulling his weight then I’m afraid he wasn’t caring about 10 in a row

    Reply

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