Opinion: Lennon’s exit was inevitable, the rebuild begins now

Neil Lennon has resigned as manager of Celtic FC. The 49-year-old ends his second spell in charge of the 9IAR Champions and leaves engrained upon the Celtic story. 10 League titles, 8 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups and many memories over the years; however, the team appeared rudderless under his leadership and it was inevitable, if not belated, that he would leave the club.

Everyone wanted Neil Lennon to do well this year. From boardroom to fans sitting at home paying for their virtual season ticket. However, much like the virus there have been waves that we really ought to have been better protected against after the first signs that things were deteriorating. There have been numerous watershed moments this year, games that appeared to compound the fate of the manager but many left the 10IAR bid very much alive. Today, however, it was more than clear that the league is over. 18 points behind following the defeat in Dingwall. Seven points separate Rangers and the league title. Lennon knew that this blotch on his record would

Embed from Getty Images

The board have been served a couple of warning shots this season, they have been offered up chances to make a chance but they resisted. Unfortunately, now it is beyond repair.

The Ferencvaros game could be argued was a one off, Celtic had shown their bottle in establishing the 13 point lead that was enough to win the league title in 2019/20 and we were without Odsonne Edouard for this defeat. The cracks began to appear when Lennon lambasted want away stars but continued with a similar team. With that said, there was a run of form and the new signings started to show promise – Shane Duffy scored on his debut and Albian Ajeti began an impressive scoring run. The performances weren’t great but the wins were recorded, even if the matches were hard watches.

Embed from Getty Images

However, the international break would spark an incredible collapse in form as a number of players contracted COVID-19. From there on in, Neil Lennon’s second spell as manager of Celtic appeared to spiral. Eight wins in twenty two matches, two of them were Scottish Cup ties from last year and the other was a dead rubber Europa League fixture. The results simply haven’t been good enough. The same defensive frailties have been exposed and punished over and over again.

The only crumb of comfort was the Quadruple Treble, a world’s first that seals Lennon’s place in the Celtic fairytale. Albeit, this season has been one of nightmares. Apathy from the boardroom and a real sense of division, one that hasn’t reared its head within the Celtic support in a long time.

Fans called for change, they saw the history beckoning of ten consecutive league titles. A feat that neither Jock Stein nor Walter Smith could manage. Yet the season they were watching unfold in front of them lurched from one disaster to another.

Neil Lennon shouldn’t be the recipient of any personal abuse as he is a Celtic legend but as a Celtic manager in 2021 he is not good enough to take the club forward. This should have been recognised by the power brokers at the football club and remedied after the back to back 4-1 defeats to Sparta Prague, perhaps.

Embed from Getty Images

It is likely that COVID-19 would have put the club into a different position, Lennon’s 2019-20 side were flying and a week away from going to Ibrox and stretching their lead in the league. Steven Gerrard, who had only a week previously lost to Hamilton, would likely have been hounded out by the baying masses. Instead, Lennon leaves and it will take a while to heal the wounds created by this season.

The club will move on from this, John Kennedy will be interim boss as the Dominic McKay era begins in the summer. This marks the end of an incredible period of success for the club, Lennon and Lawwell will leave and time will likely reflect upon their tenure’s well, even if this last year has been hard to take.

When Neil Lennon joined Celtic back in 2000, they were the underdogs against a financially doped Rangers, he arrived a winner and he leaves a winner with an incredible record. Celtic are in a great position to now kick on under new management and continue the dominance of the Scottish game. 10IAR may have been achieved under different leadership, it is right that Lennon should leave but it is equally right that Lawwell should too. The decision is now made and our rebuild begins immediately, 1IAR starts here.

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.

Comments are closed.