Time’s Up – Neil Lennon must go

THIRTY FIVE domestic cup ties later, Neil Lennon saw his Celtic side beaten 2-0 at home to Ross County. Over four and a half years ago, Celtic were beaten on penalties by Rangers but you would have to go back to January 2016 when the Hoops were beaten in 90 minutes and again it was a two goal margin, with Jim McIntyre’s Staggies winning 3-1 at Hampden.

However, unlike that day, Celtic were toothless and unimaginative both in attack and in defence. County looked like a team who had won the lottery – they were given a penalty after Jullien brought Stewart down in the box. Lacovitti scored the second and it will surely bring curtains for Neil Lennon.

Lennon stepped in when Brendan Rodgers left for Leicester City. Indeed questions need to be asked why Rodgers felt the need to leave his dream job – the autonomy of his transfer dealings the summer previous may have played a part. Lennon helped win 8IAR as well as the Treble Treble was an incredible achievement by the Irishman. He stepped into the breach and helped create history.

Despite the majority of the fans being torn on his appointment, Peter Lawwell decided to make an impromptu shower visit and offer him the job. Disregarding the fact that he had a number of CVs in his drawer, Lennon was the man to lead us to 9IAR.

He did so, impressively and earned the right to get Celtic into this season. A league cup win over Rangers where Celtic somehow managed to keep a clean sheet over Rangers but they outfoxed us. We looked second best, despite having better players. Their system had trumped ours. This was the same when the sides met later that month with a 2-1 win at Celtic Park, there were calls of the tide turning but after Christmas, Celtic were frightening.

3-5-2 with Edouard and Griffiths tore teams apart. The Copenhagen home result was a blip but the Scottish Champions were menacing as they went for 9. It was unfortunate and sad that they never were able to win the title with the fans present.

This season has been one disaster after another. Forster, Ferencvaros, Covid-19, 2 wins in 10 and now, the manager will be relieved of his duties. Individual errors have cost Neil Lennon but he and his coaching staff need to hold their hands up. Looking above, Lawwell and the club’s recruitment need to acknowledge their part in this awful collapse.

The question needs to be who comes in and can they turn this around?

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.

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