Reports in the media apropos Neil Lennon’s impending departure are essentially correct.
There was a Zoom call between the Celtic manager, Desmond, the untitled director of football and several key functionaries.
My information is that during that meeting, Neil Lennon was told that the Review wasn’t kind to him.
However, it was stated that he was not to blame for the malaise of the last 24 months.
My information is that Neil has been made a very decent offer.
I’m told that he is “Sleeping” on it.
I think it is fair to say that Mr Desmond is less than tranquil that this news was leaked to a local journo before the announcement to the London Stock Exchange.
Obviously, I cannot imagine which participant in the meeting would have done such a thing.
So that’s that.
Of course, very few Celtic fans will be sorry to see the manager leave and that, in itself, is genuinely sad.
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Personally I think lawwell has a whole lot to do with this season’s mess, he was more concerned with the ” old firm brand ” than he was us winning the 10, that mob put everything into stopping us,and if we won it they would have went burst and would never have got near us when the latest new club was to be formed . Lawwell was scared to lose the cash cow
A great and successful player for Celtic who knew his limitations but played to his strengths, positional sense excellent reading of game, and great composure. (Football intelligence I believe is the trendy word for this)
Done well to get a treble over the line when Rodgers went on “to better things” and completed another treble the following season when totally in charge.
These are facts.
The football side of the club has failed miserably this season and as the manager, he must pay for that.
The criticism and personal stuff from Celtic fans way over the top.
Hope he bounces back from this.
Neil Lennon never once shirked his responsibilities as a true Celtic man and any Celtic fan who says different should hang their heads in shame
At the start of this season when he said we were playing well , it was obvious to me that there were too many players not wanting to be here ,as a club we should have hunted every single one of them .
They let us all down and that has left a bitter taste, will they have sleepless nights ? I really hope so
In my opinion Neil Lennon should have left after the champions league exit ,the team were a disgrace that night ,when he called them out he should have been allowed to chase the ones who wanted away ,he wasn’t and it started to fester, he thought he could fix it but he couldn’t and between the Covid fiasco’s and injuries the season was more or less over
I personally feel badly let down and for the first time ever I feel cheated by the club (team) but in the morning when I wake up I will still be a Celtic Fan till the day I die and so will Neil Lennon
Lennon was at fault and his alone if you had to ask him who is his best 11 he would not be able to tell you his sub’s were never used when needed he liked the 70 minutes before he got to his feet. Then took of goal scorer’s for midget men, allowed 6 players never to enter the box for a corner
Looking at Lennon as a player I’ve seen a lot of midfielders come and go at Celtic and notwithstanding the fact his arms pumped three times faster than his legs he was the best I’ve seen at disposessing the opposition without actually tackling them. A rare talent so annoying Alan Shearer felt the need to kick him in the head (and get away with it). So I respect Neil always for his contribution to Celtic but coming back as Manager was a huge mistake imho
I believe every true Celtic supporter knew appointing Neil Lennon after Rodgers was a short sighted mistake.
The “retiring” Lawwell will land a nice appointment at UEFA or FIFA (job done)
The BIG question is how we get rid of Desmond?
Your definition of a true Celtic fan puzzles me. Is it someone with your clearly narrow mindset?
Were you nominated or appointed in some way to voice the thoughts of ALL TRUE Celtic fans?
You ARE entitled to your opinion, no matter how flawed or irrelevant it is, but NEVER presume that you know the thoughts of, or have the authority to speak for ALL TRUE Celtic fans.
Ya arrogant prick.
Hi Phil
Just disappointed about everything
If Celtic were to have got ten iar
Would that have sunk rangers Phil.
Res12 debt , this 5way agreement
It’s proper shite everything about sevco
Got me questioning was there something about keeping sevco alive
Because if they lost the league
There fans wouldn’t come back again
That’s a definite
Them putting everything in to lose
Would have killed eney hope of a
Recovery even if they go bust because
That’s what it’s starting to look like to myself
Must admit that football wasn’t same
Without them there
Could this be the case with Celtic BOARD, needs the club to survive so
Bye dropping ten for the sevco team to survive even if they are liquidated again
That’s the only thing that I can honestly think about is keeping them alive for
The good of the SCOTTISH game
There is money for our game only with
Boath sides playing.
Remember MURRAY bumped eneyone to get the record putting EBT payday side letter money’s secret
Eneything possible keep a open mind.
nothing to see here move along FOLKS
Surely Celtic BOARD needs sevco 2o12
Making more sense puts everything
Into place.
Peter Lawwell silent on res12 5way
Eneyone think that it could be true
Football without fans isn’t football
I’d have Neil Lennons back in a square go long before most of those who have put the boot in since he was appointed.
You are a disgrace.
A guy who bled on and off the Park for the Club he obviously loves.
Anyone who questions his love for Celtic is as thick as those who hate him most.
God bless you and your family Neil and thank you for all that you have given Celtic.
HH
Aye. Me too.
If you need someone to have your back, then it’s technically not a ‘square go’
Depends who else is in attendance. You might want someone watching your back to make sure it stays a square go.
Is it technically a square go when numerous were assaulted him on the deck when he was already down?
Pedantic p.
Were you sober when you wrote this? I really hope not.
I cannot speak for anyone else but I’ve been sober for over 20 years but unfortunately failed to check my post twice before pressing send.
Neil as you seem to be fully aware has previously been on the end of a serious assault by multiple assailants when he was already on the floor after having a set to with one or two currant buns on a night out.
He has also been regularly abused by some from within his own Fanbase since taking the Job second time round in multiple personal attacks on certain Forums.
I was merely pointing out like yourself that what may appear to be a square go often isn’t or doesn’t unfold to be a fair go.
One word was dropped and the other? well Apple decided to change it .
Hope this reply is of a satisfactory level.
Pedantry is 2 rungs down from whataboutery in my book.
Well said that man ^^^
Duncan, I agreed wholeheartedly with your original post. My “square go” reply was to Geo Egan.
Your explanation of your post after my reply makes sense now. However, not having the benefit of being inside your head and knowing your thought processes when you were writing it, the wording, on reading it, made no sense.
As for twenty years of sobriety? I’m not sure whether to admire you or sympathise with you……..admire, maybe.
No problem Charger it is a pain using Apple products at times as for whatever reason it can on occasion butcher a fairly straightforward sentence and turn it into some weird abstract version of the original bud.
I generally read twice before I press send but on this occasion (and others ) I failed to do so.
As for my former drinking habits?
To coin a phrase by the late Ronnie Van Zant –
Sweet talkin’ people done ran me out of town
And I drank enough whiskey to float a battleship around
I watched drink ruin enough of those around me growing up.
My children have never seen me drunk.
Never will.
HH
Celebrity and fame has its downside for all, Lennon lived with his for years like the rest have done in their own darkness, I can’t have sympathy for him, the Celtic job 2nd time round looked like an ego feeding proposition which he failed miserably at, it doesn’t take much to win a league with the most money and best players in Scotland and this time Neil never had enough of them,his managerial incapabilities were shown up for all to see when he couldn’t have Forster,Tierney and a host of mavericks,nobody wanted Lennon when he was announced, he has to live with his decision to chase the glory and unfortunately,so do we.
This was a corporate failure. Players have regressed under Lennon and Kennedy. Coaching and improvement are obviously non-existent. Player attitudes like Griffiths still carrying too much weight. The rot started in that League Cup final last year. Two midget full backs are vulnerable to diagonal aerial bombardment, Rangers showed it, and the rest followed. Add Duffy, surely the worst center back since the 90s and a world class goalkeeper replaced by someone with little command of English and you were looking at the basis of a disaster. The rest weren’t great but that back four have been appalling and that is down to Lennon. The second problem is the quality of the players they brought in – who paid 3.5 million for that Pole? Hammond needs to go as well with the entire coaching staff
Well the really bad news is that the defensive coach is NOW the interim manager.
Duffy is possibly the only CB on the planet who makes David Luis look like Beckenbuar.
You’re correct in your view of Duffy and his ability.
It amazes me why your hero rates him.
He’s played at a high level in England so he’s fooled a lot of people for a right while.
Was HE another one you NEVER wanted in the first place?.
I’d really hate to think you agreed with me TWICE. And here I thought I was the ONLY Celtic fan who DIDN’T think he was the answer to all our defensive woes when his signing was announced.
A legend who loves Celtic? Not buying it. This is the guy who left us for a job with the mighty Bolton Wanderers and got found wanting. Then when it was announced that Ronny would be stepping down he wanted the ‘Celtic job’. Let’s just be honest with ourselves he loved Celtic’s money and the limelight that came with it.
I guess he can finally retire to the mantelpiece up in dingwall.
You have a short memory. NL at that time had come through copious amounts of absolute crap from some utter bams, including an a couple of assaults and an incident which, make no mistake, could have been life threatening in different circumstances. No wonder he left. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Except less than 2 years later he wanted the Celtic job and when that didn’t happen he took the Hibs job. What i’m saying is your point would be valid if after he left he stayed left…but he didn’t …instead we found him running around the Easter road pitch, after his team blew a 3 goal lead,, doing an aeroplane, like a 5 year old who had just been told it was ice cream for breakfast….
Wise up buddy.
He DIDN’T leave for Bolton. He ended up there, but he didnt leave FOR Bolton.
The players undoubtedly played their part in this. If they start performing again, all will be forgiven.
It’s a badge not a crest.
A crest is an heraldic motif above the helm (helmet) on a coat of arms.
Ya thick eejit.
You’re assuming that he’s referring to the Celtic badge. Perhaps he’s referring to a crest as you just one.
Just saying.
“As you just described one” that should have read.
Big thumbs and wee key-boards are a bad mix.
God bless neil lennon no job is worth cracking up over faith family friends and football comes forth and you wont go far wrong 💚
All I can say is so much for never walk alone. I get the anger frustration but Lennon has been failed and hung out to dry a magnificent server on and off the park the fans have been brutal and shot sighted I guess maybe with time he will be remembered for the right reasons. Honestly can abide some of the fans behaviour on this supposed to be the best in the world but this leaves a bad taste I blame the board and players more to be honest Lennon’s the fall guy.
He’s gone and it’s best thing for him and for us.
He’s simply not good enough at his job
I fully agree
Truly Sad. The man has suffered more than anyone in the last 20 years as a Celtic custodian. Albeit this year was a disaster, he was no different from anyone at the club including the some fan factions and we haven’t deserved La Decima for the actions, performances and the borderline corporate malpractice.
We should have Fergus McCann’d the players; “Top Dollar them!” back after Ferencvárosi, and got rid. Frimpong, NtCham, Eddy playing now his partners in crime have been torpedoed but he himself MIA for 7 months. What’s the story and LG, the lot. The spine of the team needed replaced, and the should have had the courage of his convictions and said it’s me or them before the window.
The salivating and Laptop Loyal brigade, will see this as part of Domestic Treble. We must ride out to tackle them head on next season. It shouldn’t be forgotten the NFL contributed to 15 of the last 20 years league titles of which the Rangers* financial doped the remainder. Football in Ecosse is culturally changing, we will be needing more Neil Lennons’ Kieran Tierneys’ Tommy Burns’ and the Celtic DNA likes going forward. Otherwise we will become another low budget EPL corporate vacuum.
To Neil, For the last 20 years, I say thank you, from Dundee and your peroxide hair to Seville and from Barcelona to Lazio YNWA
I don’t get the ‘domestic treble’ bit….
@Padropez, – They’ll be thinking a League and Cup double is now a “Treble” with NFL at the 10IAR helm, now removed. The shakespearean act is almost complete and for them this is part of the coup d’état to the order of things. HH
I stand corrected…let them have their tainted tit, as soon as they go bust we’ll just start another 10IAR
Shame on them all.
The board, the misfit coaching staff, the stubborn antiquated manager and the players.
Shame on them.
Of all the seasons to completely collapse and capitulate so meekly. They sicken me.
The league loss started with the stupid two days off after one game and that idiot Bolingoli. If I saw him I’d slap him, but Lenny the Tennents Bar tactician gave them two damned days off.
They should have been sat down last summer and told that it was one year of total commitment, maximum fitness and battle for everything. One year to be immortal. One measly year and these guys, every one of them, would be feted until their dying day.
I said it for months before. 38 battles and I would have taken 1-0 scrappy wins in every single one of them. We knew the refs would be in overdrive to stop us, as it has proved they didn’t really need to, but they made damned sure. We knew they’d pull every stunt. We’ve been clobbered by that government at Holyrood to take the heat off their exams fiasco (good timing by Bolingoli) and their Christmas virus orgy free for all screw up (Dubai was another convenient squirrel). We gave them excuses to treat us differently.
This season of all seasons we should have been absolutely on it from day one. Every decision we made, every press conference, every single facet of our club should have been right on it. We know we are treated differently, but FFS don’t give them an open goal to crucify us.
It’s no surprise that Sevco have miraculously avoided Covid. Not one single game affected for them. You can bet your ass if we were in front they would have had a massive outbreak well in advance of the point of no return in the league.
I will not be alive to see us take another shot at 10. Never again in my lifetime. Shame on them for stealing that from the supporters.
They can escape as millionaires away from the day to day filth we have to put up with. The naked sectarianism. The biased editorial slants in the news. The pathetic Scottish sports media. We have to walk alongside the Sevconians who revel in child abuse, bigotry, hatred, cheating and lies.
Shame on them all.
After everything Lenny has gone through whilst representing Celtic, he should have had every single one of the players right on it from the get go.
His one striker with a non natural strike partner, his no strikers, the lack of fitness, the unfathomable line ups, the head scratching substitutions, the lack of game time for players, the two days off after 1 effing game that started the mess of playing catch up (I am livid about that in particular) and don’t even start about the humiliation of Europe.
It’s disgusting. Utterly disgusting. Shame on his arrogance. I know he didn’t get his own backroom team, I know he didn’t sanction most of the signings foisted on him by that smug bandit Lawwell – a man who has failed the shareholders by not pursuing governance and reparation for what we were cheated out of – but if Lenny cared as much as we all do he should have called it out or walked away. He doesn’t need the money.
This is just a pathetic end to a quite pathetic display by them all. They don’t deserve the support. Look at the year we have all had. Read the coronavirus statistics. People on here have lost loved ones, lost their job and are struggling. Celtic is their escape, a very expensive escape, from harsh realities. They don’t deserve us.
Goodbye Neil. What a sad sad way to diminish your legacy at a club you literally spilled blood for as you were hounded and attacked physically by the thugs of this land and the thugs in the media. Pride before an almighty fall and we, the supporters, have to pick up the pieces as you find your way back into the Sky studio.
Shame Shame Shame!
What can I say, correct at every turn, your words sum up every emotion that I feeling right now.
A heartfelt and accurate observation with which I entirely agree.
I agree with a lot of and disagree with some of, what you say. But I feel your pain. I admire anyone who can bare their soul like that.
Ten years ago, probably to the week, I sat outside in the carpark after work one day, texting back and forward to my mate. The TEN was viewed as possible even then. It’s what we’ve lived for since.
I’m retired now and like you it’s highly unlikely I’ll see it now. Such a chance won’t come again.
Excellent stuff and have to say I agree with every sentiment, cheers.
The man is a Celtic legend for sure and it’s really sad to see him go under these circumstances. He must take at least some of the blame, the players too. Some of the playing staff have simply not been trying hard enough imo, not nearly enough fight in them this season to warrant filling a Celtic jersey. Big Jock would be spinning in his grave at the thought of these non-triers in a Celtic strip!
Good fkg riddance..
Sad end for someone who has given the club so much but I am glad to see him go. He should of walked months ago. My biggest regret is that the other two muppets are not going with him. Hail Hail
Just glad he’s gone , maybe we can see some real changes now as it’s been shambolic
The term legend is absolutely undeserved when applied to NL.
Watching him as a player I was constantly underwhelmed and as a manager he had an easy ride.
After RFC died the remaining opposition in the SPL were no match for Celtics superior players although in cup competition Lennon was at fault as his record during that first tenure shows.
He then took over from BR two years ago as manager for the second time to complete a treble treble which was a mere formality due to the quality of the team left by BR.
Last season uncompleted league title although deserved didn’t hide the gradual decline in the performances on the pitch and both cup finals although they were won were harrowing to watch and the fans should be grateful to both goalkeepers and not the clueless manager.
I have longed for this day( if true) for 2 years and I’m delighted to see the back of him.
You’re clearly an objective thinker. In case you hadn’t noticed, well you obviously didn’t, that the football we were playing for well over a year before the traitorous bastard that is BR left was turgid to watch. It was mind numbingly boring.
The brand of Football Lennon had us playing in the months before the shutdown last March was breathtaking.
Celtic fell flat in Europe this season. As they did in EVERY season under BR.
Last season, under Lennon, they beat, home AND away, a team who were for most of the season challenging for the Italian title. The ONLY time ANY Scottish side has managed that. Jock Stein DIDN’T in three attemps.
Lennon gave us, in his first spell, the wonderful night against a Barcelona team at their peak.
BR gave us a heady comeback against…………the mighty Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar. He then presided over the most humiliating defeats we’ve had in Europe.
Lennon IS unique as the only man in the history of our great club, in fact to the best of my knowledge the ONLY man in the history of Scottish football, to win trebles as both a player and manager.
And in YOUR opinion the term legend doesn’t apply to him.
How many moons orbit the planet you live on.
The planet I live on is the same one you live on but unlike you I don’t think it is flat.
Charger fella you’re overdue a recharge.
Take the blinkers off. Give up your membership of the Lennon Cult.
Your hero has gone and left wreckage in his wake.
He’s gone. However, would you like to point out what part of what I wrote about him was factually inaccurate?
The term legend is inaccurate.
I’m old enough and lucky enough to have seen real legends in action.
NL doesn’t come anywhere near them.
Your final comment doesn’t allow a reply, so I’ll make it here. I’ve been watching Celtic for more decades than I care to think about.
I remember the picture of a skinny young Bobby Murdoch on the back pages of the local newspaper the week he signed from the old Our Lady’s H.S. in Motherwell. I remember Jinky making his debut.
I waa at Hampden the day in 1965 when Cesar headed the late winner that ushered in the most glorious period in our history.
NONE of the heroes and LEGENDS who played in that era matched the achievement of player and manager trebles. No other man in the history of Scottish football has achieved that.
In the eyes of ANY fair minded person that feat ALONE makes him a legend.
So be man enough to put your personal prejudices about him aside and acknowledge the fact.
NL never had to cope with a strong vibrant RFC during his first tenure as manager. He won three titles when it should have been three treble.
His second spell as manager only has merit for winning the curtailed league title as far as I’m concerned.The two cup finals of last season were a demonstration of managerial ineptitude.
The previous season when he took over the reins from BR even someone of his limitations couldn’t go wrong.
In reply to your memories of the 60s I can beat you by several years.
I was in attendance on the night the old floodlights were first switched on Celtic v Wolves 1959 as well as the cup finals of 1961 and 1963 both of which we lost after replays. Like yourself I was indeed there for the wonderful 1965 final.
I agree. He was a mediocre player and a poor manager. I don’t know where his legend status comes from, certainly in football terms.. The fact that he was targeted by fascists and racists whilst a Celtic player and then manager does not to my mind confer legendary status on him, except in the minds of those who believe that standing up to these peepul somehow improved his technical abilities both on and off the park.
Totally illogical.
Lennon revisionism starting already.He is mainly responsible for this shambles,honestly I’m glad he’s going
So tel me how Lennon is to blame for a man he is Celtic through and through it something in the club or players that have done this.lennon is as sick as us they players let him down .He wanted 10 more than any one
Good bless NFL
Please not Kennedy, for the love of god not Kennedy, I would rather Neil stayed for the remaining games than that albatross.
Aye. He’s NOT part of the solution. He’s a big part of the problem.
Agreed Phil, only the most heartless would revel in anyone’s devastation, let alone that of Neil Francis Lennon.
Be that as it may, he should have in all sincerity, gone. The writing has not only been on the wall for a hell of a long time, but in the interests of team and self things had progressed, or regressed if you will, to that of mutual self-harm.
The gloating will be nauseating, but the predictability was the unused parachute IMHO
I think it’s extremely sad how this ended for him – he gave so much to Celtic and suffered a lot for it too but it seemed quite obvious early on this season that he was not the man capable of leading Celtic either to 10IAR or to a decent run in Europe so all sentiment aside, he had to go.
Will he carry the can for decisions made by other people? Did he make the decision on what players to bring in or sell? Was Neil Lennon a manager in the old sense or was he a front man / head coach with many of the decisions / tactics worked out by other people – I genuinely do not know.
I won’t lie – he infuriated me this season. It seemed to me that it didn’t matter how bad his teams were, he was untouchable because the club just won the 4th Treble. Sorry, but that’s not how it works and they weren’t all Neil’s achievements anyway. If I am bad at my job, I don’t get to tell my boss that I was doing a better job last year. But if other people in my team are partly the reason why I can’t do mine – I either fix it or move on.
I think he overstayed by many months, it was obvious early on this wasn’t working out and he should’ve taken the decision to leave himself. Maybe he feared getting stick if he did move and then his legacy would’ve been that he walked out and didn’t stay to fight the good fight. Sometimes you just can’t win.
But I think Celtic behind the scenes has been nothing short of a shambles as well. Rodgers made his move when the opportunity came along but I wonder if that was partly because the relationship between him and Lawwell etc was very strained. Anyway the point here is that it appeared to me that no serious manager would work in the Celtic model that was oversaw by Peter Lawwell. The club should’ve removed Lennon many months ago not just for the teams sake but for the sake of Neil Lennon himself. It looked to me as it he was struggling as a person with the full weight of 10IAR on his shoulders. (Tommy Burns suffered too when old Rangers were going for 9). I think it’s also possible too that the club has used him and kept him in a position to take the heat when the real failure was the board not being able to appoint a replacement with any substance. I am certain if such a manager wanted to join Celtic then Neil Lennon may have gone a long time ago. I believe the board saw he was struggling but still kept him in a job as to not expose them.
Whatever happens, Neil Lennon has been a great servant for Celtic but fell very short this season. I believed he should’ve went a long long time ago but now that he looks like going I feel very sad about it and also sad for the guy himself.
If the board setup was such that a high calibre manager would’ve come in, Neil Lennon wouldn’t have got the job permanently after the cup final. I wonder if the board have realised a year or so too late what we all knew, hence Lawwell departing. Will it be enough to tempt a good boss? Who knows. But it won’t enough to save the 10 and that’s shameful in itself.
We ALL knew?? I think if you had more than two brain cells to rub together you’d realise that MOST real fans actually wanted him. Although I suspect if you had more than two brain cells rubbing together the sawdust filling the rest of your head would start to smoulder.
Says it all…thank you.
Frankly Lennon did not look like a well man from fairly early on in the season.
But Lennon, being Lennon, is not a man who gives up easily. If he was a boxer, the corner would need to throw in the towel if he was taking a hammering. He WOULDN’T quit. It’s not in his nature.
Whether that is a good trait or a bad one I don’t know. I do however, hope with all my heart, that the last eight months have not taken a major toll on his well-being.
And who’s fault is that.
Apportioning blame and finding fault are backward looking pastimes which are unlikely to help ANYONE going forward.
Learn from the past, but DON’T dwell on it looking for fault.
Life’s too short.
Some of the players need to take a long hard look at themselves in the mirror. They played a part in this and the guilty won’t be forgotten either.
There are several who should be hanging their heads in shame this morning.
Agreed, a lot of the players should hang their heads in shame for letting down Neil Lennon with their lacklustre, going through the motions performances. It was clearly evident that the 10 was much more important to the fans than to most of the imposters wearing the hoops. A true legend was betrayed by them.