Clearly a consistent problem for Celtic and definitely looks like some players "taking the piss" - too regular an event, Edouard again scorns opps to score "comfort goals", Griffiths arrives late in the match again to try to change a "flat" team performance. The whole scenario "sucks" from the point of view of many critical Celtic fans and ultimately Lennon can be "sent on his way" as it becomes clear that their "crash out" in the past couple of months has rendered any hope of 10-in-a-row to be well nigh impossible. Any match after a Euro footie commitment is clearly too demanding for certain Celtic players while other players are just not good enough to either score goals or even create scoring opps - a shambles! I think this match finally exposed a few "home truths" - this league match was clearly important, far more important than Thursday's Euro match in Milan and maybe Lennon should've acknowledged that priority by fielding a highly defensive but deliberate weak side in order to focus on positive league results. He didn't do that and seems to be oblivious to this regular failing and how to tackle it properly! If one scrutinises the loss of points over the past couple of months, note they would be closer to Rangers lofty position by gaining lost points from these post Europa League Scot Prem fixtures alone. He has learnt nothing and he still has one more Europa League fixture to complete - if he is still kept in place as the Celtic manager btw!!
Celtic 1 Saint Johnstone 1 - the Hoops "flat" again as expected!!
06-12-2020, 20:57
So will they pull the trigger on Lennon now or wait until the end of the season? I can't see them giving up on the title, enough points still left to play for, but they might have a better chance of getting a better manager in the close season rather than half way through one. Interesting times for them and something they haven't had to deal with since Rangers initial demise.
If one considers who can possibly replace Lennon, in a preferably seamless transition, then it becomes clear there are indeed not many options available! Gordon Strachan was a real possibility but wee Goggsy disnae want the hassle in this particular position, not at his age. Remember he was similarly threatened by certain Hoops fans after a certain 1-0 defeat v M'well a good number of years ago when Rangers secured the top position and looked likely to win the title. Goggsy won the next seven fixtures and won the league title!! Steve Clarke was another possibility but not interested and also no experience in such a high-pressure position of management. Also who wants to be known as the Celtic manager who lost "10-in-a-row" anyway much like the Rangers' position in having a manager who didn't stop 10-in-a-row - the thugs would terrorise that individual after the event!! It is a curious position that Celtic find themselves in and even the revered Brendan Rodgers, a master tactician and top manager who found Scot footie to be a "bit of a dawdle" for years but eventually needed a bigger challenge together with a higher standard of footie, would find this particular scenario to be a "hard call".
07-12-2020, 13:32
They would be nuts to stick with Lennon, the players don't want to play for him. They would be better off putting him on gardening leave and letting Kennedy take it to the end of the season and then go and get a new manager, the title has virtually gone now anyway.
08-12-2020, 01:02
Rather bizarre statement from the Celtic board there, looks like lennons been given til the end of the year to turn it round.
My perception of this statement is that Lawwell and Desmond have initiated two scenarios where 1. He has been "hung out to dry" and becomes the Celtic manager who "blew the chance" to register a record 10-in-a-row - that more or less becomes certain during that period 2. They have listened to his defence and the fact he thinks he can "turn things around". So let him "run with it" up to the date of the Scottish Cup final where, as part of this possible revival, if he can't beat an average Championship side to register a "quadruple treble" and simultaneously "lift spirits in his player squad" then his fate is sealed by the end of the year. The onus is on Lennon and he ultimately "carries the can" if he fails to deliver that revival - a cute executive decision/ploy!
08-12-2020, 15:41
It's a no win situation for Lennon, he's clearly holding off for his payout but the board are using him as a deflection from the fan criticism.
As you point out its Lawwell and Desmond that have bought themselves some time here.
As you point out its Lawwell and Desmond that have bought themselves some time here.
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