Neil Lennon was right to talk about the hipocracy of the Scottish Government and the media.
Have we all forgotten that two of their high ranking members had to be removed from office for breaching lockdown laws? These people held senior positions in public office and should be setting an example.
However, on the first instance Nicola Sturgeon tried to defend the two time offender and only did a U turn and sacked her after bowing to public pressure. I think they learned their lesson when then second one committed more serious/dangerous multiple offences. Were all the people they could have infected successfully tracked/traced.?
How John Swinney can be “lost for words” shows what a short/selective memory politicians have.
Hipocracy is it not? You bet it is. You are 100% correct Neil, absolutely 100% correct.
I have been a long time SNP voter but if any other socialist party leader (i.e. Labour) appoint a leader that is for independence I would be torn between them because I think Nicola Sturgeon has done a good job in difficult circumstances to manage the pandemic in Scotland despite being unable to control her own Government staff who should know better than anyone.
Celtic have in general shown great professionalism in setting and following protocols. The Bolingoli fiasco was dealt with quickly and appropriately. No-one at Celtic defended his actions and he was shipped out. Neil Lennon was rightly livid with what he had done and the problems he has caused the team in this important season.
The trip to Dubai was ill-advised perhaps but Neil Lennon could not take his squad to Dubai without Peter Lawwell’s authorisation and they did so with the Scottish Government’s consent. So it was right that Lawwell should be the one apologising if one was needed. The photos may show small lapses in social distancing but there has been no social distancing in every single game of football played since the pandemic hit us. Taking goal celebrations and dressing room sizes out of the equation, players are still coming into contact with other players constantly throughout every game. No masks….nothing.
Neil Lennon was right to use the Scotland squad’s celebration conga as an example and call it hypocrisy because that’s what it is. Again 100% accurate.
On the team’s performance this season there have been many things that have worked against our manager who is a Celtic legend as a player and a manager (younger, less knowledgeable spoiled Celtic fans take note). The main problems for me are these. It is clear that several players heads have been turned by transfer speculation. I have no doubt that Neil Lennon would have been quick to point this out to the board who should have been well aware anyway and in turn have failed him by not recruiting the right talent to provide competition and/or fill in for these positions. I’m talking about defence and attack.
When was last time Edouard had a decent game? How does Neil Lennon deal with that? Play an unfit, overweight Griffiths, an unfit/injured Ajeti or Klimala who couldn’t hit a barn door? In defence Ajer is constantly linked with other clubs but has not been the worst offender and has not suddenly stopped playing like others have and Julien is now out with a long term injury.
Duffy has shown he’s not all what he was cracked up to be. Elhamed is out and Bitton can be a bit of a liability. The only good signings gave been Soro (well done) and Turbull who was an absolute no brainer as he was right in front of their noses as was John McGinn who loves Celtic and wanted to play for us.
But we missed out on him big time because of Peter Lawwell’s penny pinching tactics. Perhaps if he had let Brendan Rodgers get his man then he might still be our manager. Perhaps Rodgers is deliberately trying to unsettle a number of our players this season as knowing how much this season means to every Celtic fan including those who immediately turned on him and couldn’t see the bigger picture. Leicester haven’t actually put an offer on the table for any of the players linked with a move to his new club who are currently near the top of the English Premier League.
Perhaps and more likely it’s just the media causing trouble to get a few headlines. Maybe it’s both.
No matter what it is Peter Lawwell and Nicky Hammond haven’t done their job to have a strong contingency plan in place. They should have seen this coming and dealt with it. I’m sure Neil warned them about it.
Finally it’s us! I mean the “fans” who have turned on Lennon and dragged our club down.
Baying for blood from the first result that didn’t go our way. What happened to the Celtic “supporters” who would get behind our team and lift our players? Granted we haven’t been able to get into the games this year but we’ve committed the basic mistake of turning on our manager and the players from the start and have kept doing it day in day out. We used to mock theRangers at the way they have imploded over the last few seasons after the fans got on their backs.
Who’s laughing now?
We have all but lost the dream of Ten in a Row and gifted them their first ever league title/cup for all the above reasons and more. But the fickle, spoiled, loudmouth fans who think they are the experts and have turned on our club have put the cherry on top.
If Lawwell and his cronies take a single penny in bonuses this year we should boycott Celtic in every way until he and his cronies are sacked.
They should go now and apologise to the fans and stop treating us like mug-punters who are there purely to pay for their bonus. Neill Lennon is not the problem. Peter Lawell is the on-going and persistent, consistent offender.
Stephen Baird
OPINION articles on The Celtic Star are open to any Celtic supporter. If you would like to have your say please email ediitor@thecelticstar.co.uk
Feedback…
Dear Mr Baird
As a supporter for many years (12 when the Lions had that magic evening in Lisbon). Neil Lennon was absolutely wrong in his remarks. I also have been an SNP supporter since the age of 18.
Ms Sturgeon dealt with the issues confronting her pretty swiftly in my humble view, perhaps if Mr Lennon would concentrate on football we would be better placed to defeat teams like Livingston, Ross County and (the)Rangers. Leaving this dreadful pandemic aside I wonder if Mr Stein would have taken, the Lions and the Quality Street Gang on a “break” after the result at Ibrox?
Yours Sincerely,
Richard D Cowie
Dear Mr Baird
I usually go through the posts on News Now on a daily basis without the need to reply,
But today your take on this season was correct, thank you for that. Neil Lennon should not be removed and we are a well run club, let’s see what the the balance books look like at the end of the season, build for next season come back stronger.
Sometimes things can transpire against you, the Rangers game summed up this season lost to a team with no shots on goal.
S Filippini.
I have just finished reading Stephen Baird’s post and the only part I agree with is that Lawwell should be relieved of his post immediately. However I think that the rest of the post is utter garbage. Lennon is not and never will be a legend in my eyes.
I understand the abuse and threats in his private life are a disgrace but from a football only perspective he is completely out of his depth. I despaired when he was given the job and I and many others have been vindicated.
His lack of self awareness is falling and he should immediately be replaced by someone with managerial nous. Lennon’s rant the other day embarrassed most fans and the club also. However Lawwell’s attempt at an apology also embarrassed the fans and club. So do the right thing Desmond and get rid of Lawwell, Lennon, Kennedy, Strachan and Hammond. Oh and by the way clear the board of all Tories as they have no place at a club with our supposed values and morals.
Gordon Raeburn
Nice article, I would take issue with a few points if you dont mind. Sturgeon was actually quite cautious when asked about the dubai trip,,,, her exact words:
“…, I do have doubts based on how the club itself described it, doubt whether Celtic’s trip to Dubai was really essential.
“And I have doubts because of some pictures I’ve seen where adherence to bubble rules was strict enough”
This is more an inquiry into the conduct of the club than outright condemnation… and makes Lennons response just look petty and pathetic.
As for his management, we are now looking at a record which is worse than Mowbrays and on a par with the Macaris and Bradys of the last 40 years. At least they had the excuse that the club was on it knees at the time.He has given no indication he has the slightest clue how to turn things around. It is classic blackadder stuff…. doing exactly the same thing we have done the last 17 times, is exactly the last thing they will expect this time! It is no coincidence that half of the squad cant be bothered, or want to leave, or cant be arsed getting fit. He is the problem.
Absolutely spot on. Couldn’t have put it better myself. The so called Celtic fans talking to SMSM need to take a look at themselves.
They are professional footballers. They should not have the option of getting fit. Not fit… ?…should not be there. Griff, Tom, Paddy, Elyounoussi, Ajeti. Then we move onto those who never were good enough. Includes Neil.