“You cannot proclaim the values of Celtic and not live by them,” Jim Spence

Voices on Twitter, the morning after the night before. Yesterday things got really bad at Celtic, nasty even. The club is split from top to bottom, and it is clear that there are Celtic players in that team yesterday who have chucked it completely. Few if any still believe that Neil Lennon is now the man to take Celtic forward, indeed he doubts it himself.

“Heightened security at Celtic’s training ground today, with two visits from police and extra stewarding. One fan was turned away earlier… players training as normal with Neil Lennon in attendance, unclear what happens next,” Sky’s Charles Peterson reports.

The support is split, embarrassed by both the team’s collapse and the unedifying scenes outside Celtic Park last night, which incidentally could warrant further attention from the Scottish Government today.

Celtic’s season is in turmoil the Ten-in-a-Row dream looks like turning into a nightmare. Dave King’s House of Cards prophesy appears to coming to pass. He reckoned we’d fold if they won the league just once and he’s on the money that way things are looking this morning.

Those who protested last night, with Celtic accusing them of throwing missiles at players and management as they left the building, have apparently hardened the resolve of Dermot Desmond not to give into mob rule, so effectively those few hundred supporters could have achieved one thing last night while dragging Celtic through the mud. They have kept Neil Lennon in a job!

The Celtic family somehow need to come together and map out a way forward.

Yesterday, before the game we heard that The Cynics had been removed from the Celtic PR’s media list for recent press conferences because they’d ask Neil Lennon a question about what the three Celtic coaches do at Lennoxtown.

The Cynic operates behind a pay-wall and have a thousand or so subscribers. Yesterday over 70,000 supporters read The Celtic Star and there are other large audience Celtic fans sites out there all of whom are completely ignored by the club. Unless you have signed a Non-disclosure agreement with the CEO then the club would prefer to deal with the tabloids and the BBC to communicate with the supporters.

“Neil Lennon: It’s almost the end of his time at the helm at Celtic. I wish him well. He has much to fondly look back on in his entire time at Celtic, and I’m certain he’ll still play some part in the future. BUT now time to take step back and help in transition to a new manager,” Joe Bloggs City from The Celtic Wiki stated.

“The problems at Celtic have been brought to ahead, not by Neil Lennon but by 2 men in particular. The two men who hired him. They seriously lack ambition and only want to take the club so far because they seen it as a low risk investment. Which has now blown up in ours and their faces,” John Coyne said.

“We had a good manager, who had faults and wasn’t perfect but he was a good. He wanted to Improve the team but was not backed sufficiently by Lawwell and Dermot Desmond, in his mind. In fact Lawwell started interfering in transfers and he walked, probably quicker than he would have. In my opinion.

“I fully expect Lenny to be sacked either today or very soon and I don’t think he ever was the right man, after Rodgers. However the two that hired him, should take a long look at themselves too and sack themselves but they won’t. Its just wishful thinking on my part,” Coyne added.

Eddie Toner had this to say and it’s hard to disagree. “With everything that’s going on surrounding our club, in what should be a historical year, its worth remembering.
There are only two individuals responsible for this shambles. And only the same two individuals that can do something about it: Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell.”

Former Celtic striker John Hartson isn’t happy. “The scenes outside Celtic Park last night were utterly disgraceful.. A club like no other.. faithful through and through.. opinions and bile on social media is one thing but for the players to leave the ground under a police escort is not acceptable.”

Anthony Joseph from Sky Sports News reflected on his shift last night outside Celtic Park.
“Back home after a busy night at SSN. Reflecting on events at Celtic Park. I’m disgusted at those who went to purely abuse players & staff – and clash with police. There is absolutely no defence for it. Really sad to see. Today is a dark day for Celtic on and off the field.”

Cartuja didn’t even have the energy to illustrate his point. He just typed it instead. “Abusing Neil Lennon is the new abusing Fergus McCann. Mugs.”

As others see us. A friendly voice from the outside looking in from Jim Spence up in Dundee. “As an Arab, I’ve no dog in this fight, although I’ve never hidden a soft spot for the Hoops. Neil Lennon’s time is surely up at Celtic, but he deserves a fair bit more respect than some have given him. You cannot proclaim the values of Celtic and not live by them.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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