Current Celtic manager Neil Lennon has come out and backed himself to get the job on a full-time basis, as it stands his contract runs out in the summer.

Speaking to the media yesterday Lennon hit back at critics that didn’t want to see him getting the gig (Source The Scotsman):

“It’s the new age, the new breed,”

“If there are doubts that I can do the job, then they are the ones with the doubts, not me.”

“Celtic have won 14 league titles since 2000 and I’ve been involved in ten of them as either player, coach or manager. So there’s no reason for me – or anyone else for that matter – to think I can’t do the job going forward. The evidence is there that I quite plainly can.”

“But there is a new breed of fan on social networks, it’s not the real world. It’s not my world. I deal in the real world and theirs is a knee-jerk world of unrealistic expectations.”

Lennon clearly sets his stall out by mentioning all the accolades that he’s brought to the club and he does deserve a lot of credit for that. But he then criticises the support that are calling for change.

The Hoops gaffer clearly believes that there’s a spoiled element of supporter that take for granted the titles and trophies and yet always ask for tmore.

Lennon mentions midfield legend Paul McStay (Via Daily Record):

“He is one of the greatest of all time. Unfortunately he played in difficult times for the club but what an unbelievable player.”

Before hammering his point home:

“I hope it means a lot to him because he means a lot to us. When Celtic won the Scottish Cup with Tommy Burns in 1995, you could see how much it meant to both of them.

“So we don’t take it lightly, winning trophies. We take it very seriously. We know the amount of work, the sacrifice that goes into it. We’ve been doing it very well for a long, long time here but we certainly don’t take it for granted. What the younger generation of our fans shouldn’t take for granted is what these players are doing and what they have done.”

Celtic fans don’t take for granted their success, they just like to be entertained along the way.

Winning with panache means just as much with Hoops faithful as winning does. They want to win with style!

Neil Lennon, when he talks about all the trophies being the endgame, actually sounds more like a Rangers supporter. They’ve always wanted to win at all costs and winning with added style is just a mere bonus if it happens.

Celtic supporters loved the flamboyant free style that Tommy Burns‘ Celtic side showed them. They didn’t win the top flight but they were an attack minded passing team and that won them much forgiveness when a season ended.

McStay might have won just three league titles in sixteen years at Parkhead but his career wasn’t defined by his medals, in the eyes of the fans. His loyalty and ability on the ball brought joy to tens of thousands in Glasgow’s east end. That’s what made him a hero!

When I look back at the last thirty years various managers, even successful ones, drove some supporters away because of their style of football. Gordon Strachan, Lennon the first time around and Ronny Deila instantly spring to mind. Even Martin O’Neill had his critics.

The Celtic faithful want to see wingers attacking the flanks, midfielders dominate games with their passing and strikers scoring from well worked team goals.

They don’t appreciate players going through the motions, playing with the handbrake on and hoofing the ball in the air.

Now I understand Neil Lennon wants to keep the job and I feel he’s harshly looked upon, by some, given that he came in during difficult circumstances and steadied the ship towards a potential treble treble but he can’t believe attacking an element of the Celtic support will back-up his case.

He needs to play more exciting football in his side’s last two games. Although it could already be too late for some.

I think playing sixteen year old sensation Karamoko Dembele in those final two outings could show a willingness to bring through more youngsters, which will get more doubters onside.

I also think it’s funny that Lennon would be critical of some of his team’s support but not mention the press who have linked Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez, Chris Hughton and Slaven Bilic with the Hoops managerial hot-seat in recent weeks.

Ultimately a Celtic manager lives and dies not just by his results but also his team’s performances. That could mean that Neil Lennon isn’t the fans favourite for the job!

Posted on May 17th, 2019 by scott
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