After Tony Mowbray’s team of 11 strangers lost 4:0 midweek to St. Mirren, his post match comments were to the effect that we go again at the weekend. Sound familiar? Next morning, the Board threw in the towel to avoid him and the supporters taking more punishment. They need to do the same today for the exact same reasons, and to protect Neil Lennon’ legacy at Celtic.
I take no pleasure in saying he should go; when you are in the same camp as Ally McCoist and Neil McCann, you know you are in trouble. It is for that reason, I just wonder if the Board will not take such action today? If they do, they have to come out fighting and stick two fingers up to those whose interests lie in Govan. They need to speak directly to the Celtic support along the lines that Neil Lennon is one of our own and deserves our support, and tell us how things are to change. Silence is not an option.
The time has passed for recriminations, let’s just say Celtic have collectively failed.
The actions of a few supporters last night cannot be condoned and the media are all over it this today. The personal abuse directed at the manager is abhorrent to most supporters but social media and such protests allow the minority to hijack the agenda. Nevertheless, the strength of feeling of the majority of the support, may finally have got through to players. They are living in a bubble and playing in empty stadiums, and it has been too easy for them to block out all the “outside noise”.
The players have plenty to answer for. Their performances on the field have been abject and they need to be reminded of the definition of a “professional” footballer. It is someone who earns a living playing the game and is required to demonstrate the requisite standards in their chosen profession, including competency. With regard to the latter, the acid test is always, would I pay to watch them play? For me, it’s a definite no, which again is not a comfortable position.
The Board sprung into action in the wake of the protests and issued a statement during what is obviously a period of purdah for them. The Green Brigade were spot on when they warned them some time ago not to be asleep at the wheel. The Board have abrogated all responsibility and even allowed Neil Lennon to give the customary vote of confidence in the manager. Silence is not golden.
The coaching staff – a committee pulled together by Peter Lawwell – have been found short in their team selections, tactics, inability to learn from many many mistakes, poor substitutions and failing to get the best out of players. Whether that is the fault of the manager or the coaching staff as a whole, I don’t know. If Neil Lennon is to remain in post, he surely needs the support of a genuine number 2 with a tactical nouse. Neil cuts a lonely figure on the touch line and his only support is Gavin Strachan’s tablet. Oh well, at least he can speak to Siri……Siri, order me 3 ubers for Monday, I am not sharing a taxi with those other two.
It is obvious the current situation cannot continue. The manager needs to be replaced or effectively supported. The time for doing nothing and saying hee haw to the supporters is long gone. If you accept the premise that we have all contributed to the failure, let’s stick together whatever happens. YNWA.
Christopher Wotherspoon
