Celtic legend Neil Lennon celebrates his 52nd birthday today. Lennon is synonymous with Celtic after a seven-year spell as a player and two spells as manager, making him the first person in Celtic’s history to win a Treble as a player and as a manager.
Happy Birthday Neil Lennon. pic.twitter.com/j0xkiaozCq
— Li’l Ze (@LilZe_7) June 24, 2023
Unfortunately for Lennon, his final season in charge was a disaster for the club – despite wrapping up the delayed 2019/20 Scottish Cup amidst the carnage of the COVID-19 restrictions on the game. This resulted in Celtic losing 10IAR and a lot of anger and hurt amongst the support.
Lennon won ten titles with Celtic, eight Scottish Cups and three league cups in two spells as manager and as a player. He will always be a Celtic legend but it was clear that his time as manager was up. Lennon will be recognised for all that he has done for the club but it may take some time as the 2020/21 season was incredibly tough for everyone involved.
With Brendan Rodgers’ return to the club, the Irishman acknowledged that the club’s recruitment and infrastructure had improved significantly. It is worth remembering that the season that was curtailed prematurely due to COVID-19 saw Celtic playing some incredible football under Lennon’s stewardship.
The 2020/21 season saw a squad that needed to be refreshed come up against the stringent COVID-19 protocols as well as a Rangers team that appeared to be immune to the virus. Side issues such as Bolingoli, self-isolation for international stars, Dubai, Ross County and losing the ten resulted in Lennon departing his role.
The frustration was real but it was felt by Lennon as well. There was a disconnect as supporters were unable to get to the games and it was clear that time was up for Lennon and Peter Lawwell. The club has since rebuilt under Ange Postecoglou with Rodgers now returning. Lennon’s place in Celtic history has been confirmed, his trophy return speaks for itself but it is time that we move on from the failures of that season and restore the recognition of Lennon’s place as a Celtic legend.
Lennon has been out of work since leaving Omonia in Cyprus last year. The Irishman has admirers in the game given his track record at Celtic, Hibs and Omonia. In a recent interview, Lennon said that he was speaking with a few clubs about opportunities ahead of the close season and you would imagine that he would have a few teams keen on hiring the the 52-year-old and you wouldn’t bet against Lennon making an impact at a new club.
