Neil Lennon was interviewed pre-match by Sportsound by the blue-nose Kenny Macintyre and the BBC man wanted to grill The Celtic manager about that controversial Media Conference on Monday. Macintyre to be fair asked the questions that are fair and square after Lennon left himself wide open. The game ended 2-2 with the snow falling making the plastic pitch almost unplayable but for the support it was more like unwatchable.
Livingston made seven changes from the weekend but were still able to take something from Celtic again and Neil Lennon after bringing on his skipper Scott Brown and seeing him sent off for stupidly throwing an arm giving Willie Collum the excuse to be centre-stage and tough on Celtic. it at least delivered Ten-in-a-Row but not for Celtic, as Livi relished in pointing out.
🔟| 💛👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/RRU7aHAsI0
— Livingston FC (@LiviFCOfficial) January 20, 2021
Celtic players had to drive to Livingston due to the Covid restrictions that apply tour club. But that’s just one thing to note in a disastrous season for the club. Neil Lennon must know that his time is up. Indeed it would be very surprising if with no game this weekend, he is not removed and we’re all put out of our misery. It’s jus snow happening Neil.
Here’s his exchange with the biggest blue-nose at BBC Sportsound and remember Celtic’s PR Manager doesn’t want Celtic fan media asking any questions….
Macintyre – Neil you must be delighted to be back directly involved on a match day?
Neil Lennon – Yeah I am looking forward to it. I have sort of been building up to this for a few weeks now and some of the players who are starting tonight have not played since the Rangers game and I think they are highly motivated to get out and play a game as well .
Macintyre– I was here last midweek. A very late call-off – the pitch looks in great nick. Are you happy with it?
Neil Lennon – Yeah and there is plenty of moisture on top that will take the dryness out of it. Hopefully we can get a bit of zip on it.
Macintyre – You had quite the media conference on Monday. What reaction have you had to that?
Neil Lennon – From?
Macintyre – Any one from within in the club, from fans?
Neil Lennon – Not really no. I am not on social media or anything like that so I covered everything that I wanted to say Kenny.
Macintyre – Do you stand by it?
Neil Lennon – Absolutely. I said everything I wanted to say on Monday. If you want to ask me about the game, fine. But there is no point dwelling on it. This is going to get mileage and run on and on if you keep biting at me.
Macintyre– Can I ask you one question? I think it has got to a serious level when we have the Deputy First Minister here talking about your allegations today saying it was absolutely appalling.
Neil Lennon – That is his opinion. It is his opinion. That’s the end of it.
Macintyre – Was it your representation on Monday or was it the club that you were representing? Did you have to run by Peter Lawwell what you said at that media conference on Monday?
Neil Lennon – Kenny, you are still asking me about the interview.
Macintyre – So you are not going to say any more about it?
Neil Lennon – No. You’ve had enough mileage out of it the last couple of days.
Macintyre – I just think when you come out all-guns-blazing which you did Neil and people have had a response. St Johnstone and Hamilton Accies not happy for example. Do you stand by that?
Neil Lennon – I am giving my opinion on what I saw. The protocols are in place as far as we are concerned are different standard from what other teams do. We’ve had to drive to the game tonight.
Macintyre – Are they wrong when they refute your allegations about the changing facilities you had at these football grounds?
Neil Lennon – In my opinion yeah.
Macintyre – So you stand by that?
Lennon – Absolutely.
Macintyre – One final thing. Where you surprised what you said at that media conference that generated a lot of headlines on Monday didn’t appear on Celtic’s social media yet Scott Brown’s media conference yesterday did. As that an indication that the club weren’t happy?
Neil Lennon – Maybe. I don’t control the social media side of the club.
Macintyre – Was Peter Lawwell happy with what you said?
Neil Lennon – We’ve spoken about it and that will remain private.
Macintyre – In terms of your position at the club. You were asked about the review into your position on Monday and you said you had no update. Is that something you are concerned about? Will you be seeking answers in the next week or so?
Neil Lennon – No. I am just getting on with my job. I’ve got a game to think about tonight and I am looking forward to it.
Macintyre – Is it not uncertainty for you?
Neil Lennon – You are always uncertain in this job.
Macintyre – What are you expecting from this Livingston side this evening?
Neil Lennon – Yeah they are on a great run and have freshened the team up. Obviously they are thinking about the semi-final as well. Maybe they have players playing for places so as always with a Dave Martindale team, highly motivated and difficult to get a result.
Macintyre – What about your players? How are they feeling?
Neil Lennon – I think there is a source of frustration. They want to take their frustrations out in the best way they can and that is getting out and playing football again.
Macintyre – How are you personally feeling? Everyone is struggling in this pandemic but someone like yourself, who is in the public arena – there is a lot of criticism come your way. How difficult have you found it?
Neil Lennon – I feel great. My ten days at home which I found really difficult but I feel great, bullish and looking forward to the rest of the season. It was great to get back to working to the players on a day-to-day basis and I am looking forward to getting down and doing what I am supposed to do which is managing the club.
Macintyre – You were bullish in a lot of areas in that media conference on Monday..
Neil Lennon – You are bringing it up again, Kenny.
Macintyre – Is it not important Neil in terms of the title race. People will say you are just being realistic that it may be beyond you now but a lot of people will say that is defeatist if you like?
Neil Lennon – Everything about my press conference was realistic. That is the way I talk to you guys all the time. If some people don’t like it. Fine.
Macintyre – What is your understanding of where you are at this club? What do you think you need to do to stay at this club?
Neil Lennon – Win football games.
Macintyre – Do you think you are one defeat away? I mean that was what I was talking about the review. The uncertainty you are working under must be tough?
Neil Lennon – I am not working under any uncertainty. Until I am told otherwise I will just do my job the best I can which I wasn’t able to do the last couple of week. Is that us yeah?
Macintyre – That is it Jane. Neil Lennon has walked off.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon says he isn’t concerned about his position and he won’t walk away from his job despite more dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Livi@STVSport for more
— Ronnie Charters (@STVRonnie) January 20, 2021
Can't really be bothered with much analysis. Livingston Reserves 2-2 Celtic with an offside goal. We had a training camp but returned conceding the exact same set piece Goal. Literally the purpose of training is to improve. 17 set piece goals conceded
— Liam Kelly (@cfcliamk96) January 20, 2021
