Jim Kerr is hoping that Neil Lennon can complete his transformation of Celtic by lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden today.
The lead singer of Simple Minds feared that Celtic were close to crisis a year ago and was sceptical of Lennon’s appointment.
Lennon has survived a fearsome first season in charge of Celtic with Kerr thrilled with the way that the Irishman has transformed the entire mood of the club.
“I have to say that as a Celtic fan I thought the club was heading for crisis- it wasn’t that far away,” the Toryglen bhoy admitted to 5live.
“That was maybe an exaggeration but I thought that the last thing that was needed was a rookie manager.
“A year ago Lennon would not have been my first choice. I thought that he needed some experience under his belt but he has certainly convinced me. I like him very much
“You can see that the Celtic fans are looking forward to next season already, the team has been playing well and there is a good feeling about the club again
“Anyone that saw the last game at Celtic Park knows that the fans are really behind the manager. He has a chance to make sure that the season ends on a positive note.
“The club is much more more positive than it was this time last year despite the disappointment of the championship just slipping away at the last hurdle.
“Lennon and his staff have done a really great job. The place was on a real downer a year ago when Mowbray left.”
NEIL LENNON RESPONDS TO WALTER SMITH
MOTHERWELL CHIEF GOES TO WAR WITH THE SFA
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It’s been a roller coaster of a season.
Most of Lennon’s signings have been a success and some of the football has been a joy to watch.
And yet…..
On several occasions we’ve been at the top of the table with Rangers lagging behind, and on each and every one of those occasions we’ve shot ourselves in the foot.
Three consecutive draws at home around Christmas time, and the farce of the 3-2 loss to Inverness Caley Thistle recently are two that spring to mind.
There were others.
The insistence on playing Samaras, and in spite of the fact most Celtic fans could see his glaring flaws, apparently Neil couldn’t.
Two league goals all season says it all.
Tony Mowbray was rightly slaughtered for paying £4mill for low-scoring striker Marc-Antoine Fortune, and although Lennon did not sign Samaras, he must take responsibility for playing him.
Samaras’ two goals at Ibrox were very welcome at the time, but his usual lack of consistency contributed significantly to missing out on the league championship by one point.
Rangers were handed this league by Celtic, and the
suspicion that this Celtic team falters when faced with the big prizes has not yet been blown away.
A win in the Scottish Cup Final will be very welcome, but only a consolation prize.
Neil Lennon will in all probability be given another season at Parkhead, but he will need to learn from this season’s mistakes, one of which is playing players who are not producing the goods, e.g. strikers who don’t score goals.
Fortune was touted by Mowbray as someone who may not score many, but would produce chances for others, but that’s not a striker, that’s an attacking midfield player.
Just as fortune helped Mowbray out of Celtic’s front door, I fear Samaras might just do the same for Neil Lennon next season.