In the wake of Celtic’s 4-1 Europa League reversal at the hands of Sparta Prague, Neil Lennon chastised his players publicly, using words like lazy and lackadaisical in his post-match assessment. He also spoke of the need for a culture change at the club.
It was very reminiscant of the post Ferencvaros comments, where Lennon questioned if certain players wanted to be at the club and advised they should move on if they did not. It was tough talk from the Celtic manager. But will it land on deaf ears or will there be the changes in attitude and application that Neil Lennon wishes to get across, and do the players understand what is being asked of them, is the message clear, concise and consistent now?
The result against Motherwell was certainly a positive step in the right direction, and an immediate response from both the manager and the players chosen to start the game. The players turned a 4-1 reversal from three days prior to a 4-1 win in the Premiership at Fir Park, while Lennon rung the changes himself, benching those out of form or lacking in effort. Shane Duffy dropped to the bench and Odsonne Edouard followed suit, neither player entering the fray on Sunday until the game was won. The fact Oliver Ntcham also joined the play late on may tell us all we need to know when Lennon spoke of those perhaps lacking in application in some games.
Yet after the Ferencvaros comments Lennon backtracked, and that possibly backfired when it came to credibility within the changing room and to the wider support. After the transfer window closed the players remained that he considered having an eye on the exit door. They also continued to be chosen to play. Some still haven’t picked up and returned to form. If noses were out of joint and they assumed Lennon may go back on his public comments as he did against Ferencvaros, it may be they have underestimated Lennon’s resolve this time around.
Now post Sparta Prague, Lennon needs to remain consistent in his message. Prior to this it’s been difficult to ascertain, so contradictory have his public utterances been, when Lennon is being honest in his appraisal of a situation or when he is simply fulfilling his duties and being disingenuous. On too many occasions there has been mixed messages as Neil Lennon seems to have become somewhat obsessed with some sort of duality concept, as if he’s fighting an inner battle between the old school approaches to management he once was famed for, and the more cajoling, encouraging approach he, in public at least, wishes to portray this time around. Perhaps now he’s edging towards a ruthlessness in team selection based on form alongside commitment and not reputation or past glories.
One thing was clear from Sunday, there was more application from the team selected. Yes, there were similar defensive mistakes and it was to our fortitude that Motherwell didn’t take more of their chances, but Celtic started well.
The first goal epitomised the immediate reaction. With Albian Ajeti we have a narking, snarling striker who take sit as a personal affront if others around him don’t match his effort. We defended from the front, something so clearly missing from the Sparta Prague encounter, and from that we pounced via Ajeti’s pickpocketing of a pressured opposition defence and Moi reacted with genuine appetite to be there for the rebound.
In the second half and defending a two-goal lead Celtic did get jittery, a concession was always in the post but it wasn’t due to hunger or application, it was down to nerves and uncertainty, conceding 14 goals in six games will do that to a team. It was forgivable, and how we responded was exceptional.
Moi scored within three minutes and we added a fourth from Ntcham. This was a reaction of note. How many of us seriously considered a draw, even defeat was on the cards as we rocked from that concession? But the players evidenced that they are still playing for themselves, the club and their manager.
If Neil Lennon’s post-match questioning of attitude after the Sparta Prague debacle, coupled with the hard decision he took to bench those not performing, made for that win on Sunday, then continuing in the vein may bring just what Celtic need, a winning run and consistency.
And so back to Lennon’s talk of a culture change. I have reservations over the use of that phrase. Neil Lennon inherited a winning culture, he slowly adapted it to his own shape as to make for an organic switch to his own style of play. This has not been a cultural deterioration under Lennon. We’ve won three trophies and are in the final of another. Until March Lennon’s own culture had gone undefeated since it last faced a concerted challenge in December.
Conceivably there is no need for a culture change, instead the need to reaffirm the culture that was in place previously is what is needed, and Lennon’s dropping out some talented, but ultimately underperforming stars, is his way of reaffirming that culture and quickly.
Perhaps the mixed messages from Lennon are stopping. Possibly, he no longer feels placating certain players due to their previous contributions rather than current form is now kicking in. It seems credible Lennon now knows the pressure from a disgruntled support has very real connotations for him at boardroom level and he intends ensuring if he does go out, it’s been on his terms.
Lennon doesn’t need to please everyone and it may be he’s been trying to do just that. He can now stop being between two stools, settle on one and back himself. Is that the gentler cajoling Lennon, or is it the one that would blow the leaves from a tree when enraged? Well signs from Sunday would appear he wants work rate, application and form, he has no time for those who may be coasting.
The players are responding it would seem. Now Lennon and his coaching staff have two weeks without the players to work on where we are going wrong tactically. Our front four on Sunday’s evidence seem to be responding, they were exceptional. Now defensively Lennon needs to find that balance at the other end of the field. Why we are open to the counter attack, why do we give soft fouls and set pieces away and why from these deliveries and cross balls in our full back areas we are both exposed and unable to defend our box satisfactorily?
A consistent message on selection, matched by no more backtracking messages when speaking via the press, and time spent over the next two weeks finding solutions to what are tactical and technical issues within a game plan, could all lead to Motherwell being a turning point. If this is Lennon pleasing himself, rather than trying to placate some who cannot be placated then it is welcome.
This is the perfect time to pore over past performances, examine why the defensive errors are occurring and on repeat, and have a plan ready for the players returning. This alongside a consistent message that bar injury, the players who applied themselves and responded to adversity in that Motherwell game have the shirts for now. Anyone else wishing to get into that team needs to match what was out there on Sunday regardless of reputation or wage.
It is also the perfect opportunity for Neil Lennon say what he means, mean what he says, and leave everyone under no doubt that there won’t be the backtracking that can impact on his credibility within the dressing room.
Niall J
READ THIS…Celtic Huddle Podcast, Mjallby on Lennon: “He breathes Celtic. He breathes football. So I think he loves this challenge”
Listen to The Celtic Huddle Podcast below…
