Opinion: Lawwell’s Lennon decision should be a professional courtesy to the Celtic players and Dominic McKay

Neil Lennon lambasted his players in the wake of yet another poor result this season. St Mirren recorded a win at Celtic Park for the first time in 31 years as the Lawwell dynasty seemed to be crumbling. Just a day earlier, Peter Lawwell announced his 17 year stay as Chief Executive of Celtic would come to an end, being replaced by the impressive Dominic McKay. McKay will have been watching that game yesterday and the comments afterwards and wondering how much work he has to do with this current crop of players, the feeling amongst the fanbase and ultimately delivering success to the club.

Lawwell arrived at Celtic with Larsson, Lambert, Lennon and a host of other stars under the tutelage of Martin O’Neill. It was a settled side that had performed domestically and in Europe. This is in contrast to the team that McKay will inherit, underperforming and totally lost under Neil Lennon at the moment. Although there threatens to be more lows unless decisive action is taken.

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As a professional courtesy to McKay, Lawwell should put Lennon out of his misery, give John Kennedy the team until the end of the season and give McKay and the club time and space to make a new appointment expected to bring hope ahead of the new season. There are rumours of a dramatic overhaul in the summer with a new footballing department coming into the club, as well as a new marquee manager taking over. Neil Lennon will be leaving the club and it is a question of when as opposed to if, Lawwell should take initiative and remove Lennon or face revolt from the players and more dire results as the season drags on. Peter Lawwell is stilL CEO until June, he ultimately has the power to make (or not make) decisions. He should look to help his successor by clearing the management team out, allowing a conservative interim to take charge and then passing the reins over to McKay.

Celtic can still qualify for the Champions League, through the second placed side in the Premiership navigating the qualifying route. However, the longer this goes on, with the feeling around the club being so low, a decision needs to be made to protect season ticket holders as well as the next season for the club.

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The value of players has been harmed, they look shot of confidence and this won’t be helped by the manager’s comments – questioning their desire, their work ethic and loyalty. It is evident that he has lost the dressing room. Kennedy is highly regarded amongst the squad, he should be tasked with taking the side forward and preparing them for the new season as well as earning back respectability this season.

There can be no ‘bedding-in’ period. The club need to hit the ground running next season and regain their crown but they also need to reignite the fire amongst the support and bring a degree of respect and passion back. Supporters feel ignored and that the promised January Review was merely lip service given to the fans to get them to back off in their attempts to force change at the club.

It was supposed to be a season like no other but unfortunately the season has failed to live up to the billing for the right reasons.

About Author

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

2 Comments

  1. George Mcmeekin on

    Who is writing this about Kennedy taking charge r u fucking serious he is part of the problem at Celtic get him to fuck and keep Lennon till the new man take s over let it b his call same goes for brown and a few other s Kennedy has taken his fair share of money out of the club now fuck off