It’s over isn’t it? The second coming of Neil Lennon, the man we hoped would bookend the ten saw his reign as Celtic manager end today.
It is hard to come to any other conclusion after a fifth consecutive game at home where we’ve avoided a desperately needed victory.
One where we needed to claw back into a title race, and one where a stay of execution appears to have been offered where no other manager would have been afforded even close to the same.
If the delay was due to loyalty, such a moment has been afforded and is now overdue. Any further delay can only cause further damage to a season in drastic need of rescuing. Indeed, we can now only hope such a delay hasn’t caused insurmountable damage for the new man coming in, or hurt the morale beyond repair for the players themselves. At least those who do still care.
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Neil Lennon came to Celtic’s rescue when he was desperately needed, like some red headed Adair putting out fires. From there he picked up the slack, held together a team that was stunned by the exit of a man they believed was there to deliver the ten.
Lennon picked up the baton, pieced everyone – from the players to the coaches to the support themselves – together and won the title. He then delivered the Treble Treble and from there 9-in-a-row, and now a team on the verge of an unbelievable Quadruple Treble.
For all those who say I told you so when it comes to Neil Lennon, they forget his first stint that sent Celtic on the way, and conveniently ignore the trophies he’s won since taking up the reins from Brendan Rodgers.
It’s also far too easy and convenient to forget that the last time he was written off those fans were left to question their judgement when Lennon sprung from Dubai and delivered that ninth title. Yet once again it returns to the job offered in the showers as a show of a lack of ambition. It’s far too convenient to ignore the success in between, but if you want to claim a revisionist approach, without a nod to what went before, then feel free to deride.
What however can’t be ignored is that today was a day where Neil Lennon had a last chance to save his job and rescue Celtic’s season. Unfortunately, and probably entirely expectedly, Celtic huffed and puffed and looked without enough direction from the side-lines or on field invention to prevail. For too many weeks now it has been that way.
Writings on the wall I’m afraid…. pic.twitter.com/n2zf3NoLqX
— Highland__Paddy (@Highland__paddy) December 6, 2020
And now sadly there has to be a parting of the ways between Celtic and Neil Lennon. Not many will rejoice at such a moment.
Much like Tommy Burns exit from the club perhaps it’s a case of Neil Lennon being too close to the feelings of the support to make the decisions in such a season as objectively as is required.
And like the player himself when substituted by Gordon Strachan for Gary Caldwell in that Scottish Cup Final, the decision will have to be taken out of Lennon’s hands.
It was clear then he believed he could continue and deliver on field success, now he possibly as manager feels much the same way. But just like that afternoon the evidence points in an entirely different direction.
Whatever happens today, tomorrow, or at some point this week, Celtic as a club cannot be expected to progress under the management of Neil Lennon. That is something to mourn rather than celebrate.
Neil Lennon is a Celtic great, a living legend, but even that credit in the bank has expired when it comes to the importance of this season in the history of Celtic FC.
Neil Lennon deserves all our thanks, all our praise, and is entitled to leave with his reputation as a Celtic man, up there with the greats of our club.
But the time has come, whether he makes the decision himself or if it is taken out his hands for Celtic to look elsewhere to recover a season that has now hit the skids.
That’s not all the fault of Neil Lennon of course, indeed the apportioning of blame runs far, far deeper than one man.
But you cannot sack a team, side-line a squad or remove a board without first replacing the manager.
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Today’s draw from the jaws of defeat at home to St Johnstone has now more than likely put paid to Neil Lennon’s attempts to win the title.
It will now be down to the guardians of the club to find a man who can turn around the current malaise.
If they don’t the torch will be shone brightly on those who have created the structure from which a Celtic legend has been unable to deliver.
Celtic are at a crossroads now, a junction where we can only hope we have someone in mind who can navigate where we now turn. To get it right will save reputations at boardroom level. To get it wrong may bring down a house of cards.
Niall J
Couldn’t agree more with what you have written but regardless of what happens with 10iar, there are massive decisions to be made at the end of the season in terms of a plan, ambition and how we move forward with 50000 season ticket holders; I fear that can’t be done under the current board
His reputation is in tatters because he’s left it to long and still thinks he should carry on. He should have resigned months ago and let the new man have time to try and save the 10 and europa. Who is going to want the job now, out of Europe and 13 points behind, players and directors who don’t seem to care, there is no attraction in becoming celtic manager in the present situation.
Probably the best piece I’ve read about Lennon and the course action required at Celtic. He should now, with our thanks and be remembered as a true Celt. But the onus is on the board who are sleeping at the wheel.
Who to replace him??
Not everyone can manage in spl…
You need a working knowledge of the orange tinted spl board and establishment, plus how to deal with the mason refs.
All well and good sacking Lennon… but money where your mouth is?
Any suggestions other than steve Clarke or malky Mackay?