Celtic’s latest European exit brought a predictable response from supporters with the blame split between players, management and the board of directors.
Neil Lennon has Cluj and Copenhagen on his CV, Brendan Rodgers has AEK Athens while Ronny Deila has Malmo and Maribor as well as home and away defeats from Molde on his record.
One man has overseen all of those European defeats- Peter Lawwell.
Ahead of the Copenhagen matches it was brought up that Celtic haven’t won a knock-out European tie since 2004 when Alan Thompson scored against Barcelona before John Kennedy and David Marshall put up the shutters in the Nou Camp.
Young Lawwell was settling into his role at that stage, in his first season at the club and fairly anonymous with Martin O’Neill calling the shots.
Year by year the influence of the CEO has grown just as the club has stalled and faltered in Europe. Four times in the last 10 years Celtic have been in the group stage of the Champions League.
Celtic Park used to be feared. In Lawwell’s first season Bayern Munich celebrated a 0-0 draw, pleased to have avoided the fate that had sunk Lyon and Andrelecht. This season Cluj and Copenhagen have been celebrating victories in Glasgow despite failing to beat Celtic on home soil.
As Nir Bitton confirmed before Christmas the chief executive has the final say on new contracts. John Park, Lee Congerton and Nicky Hammond may head up scouting/recruitment/operations but there is little doubt over who has the final say over transfers.
Boli Bolingoli signed in the summer without speaking to Lennon. The manager was looking for experienced additions in January, instead Patryk Klimala and Ismaila Soro watched last night’s action alongside Marian Shved in the stand.
Celtic fans know that they can’t compete in a group with Manchester City or Paris Saint Germain, they accept that they are a feeder club, that Tierney, Dembele and Edouard playing in the same side was always a short term arrangement.
Being turned over consistently by Maribor, Malmo, Molde, AEK Athens, Cluj and Copenhagen is another matter entirely with one of the highest paid administrators in world football presiding over that embarrassing record.
Whether Celtic fans acknowledge it or not, Lawwell has done a great job in downsizing fan expectations re Europe. Since 03/04, we’ve never won a knockout tie. Since 07/08, in just 1/12 seasons have we had an above-average campaign. All because of a parochial obsession with 10IAR.
— Michael McDonald (@Mikey_Bhoy_1993) February 28, 2020
Bitton would have been a better bet than a half-fit Brown, who was embarrassingly off the pace from the first exchanges.
Agree with you that Lawwell is the man to blame for our ongoing transfer market fiasco that sees us buy projects when we needed experience in key areas.— Brian McNally (@McNallyMirror) February 28, 2020
Not Peter Lawwell he decides who we scout and sign – no one else has a say. https://t.co/asvIFMg3Qh
— bhoysviews (@bhoysviews) February 28, 2020
The guy`s ego is sickening!
— Mind lost. Again.- Bob Nicol (@Rn1967Nicol) February 28, 2020
As much as Lawwell is a malign influence & has been for over a decade, we have more than invested enough to beat/eliminate the following teams since 2007: Aalborg, Rapid Vienna, Utrecht, Sion, Legia Warsaw, NK Maribor, Malmo, Molde, AEK Athens, CFR Cluj & Copenhagen.
— Michael McDonald (@Mikey_Bhoy_1993) February 28, 2020
Lawwell, the board & their fat bonuses based profit hoarding money that’s my problem we had plans place build success on & off field. Desmond needs also take blame what exactly has he done for club since buying club except take divide yield based on shareholding @irishceltlad
— @CelticBhoy1888 (@Celt_Bhoy1888) February 28, 2020
Celtics European record under Lawwell and Desmond has been nothing short of embarrassing
— The Peoples Republic of Celtic (@ProvisionalThe) February 28, 2020
Seen a great article the other day saying is Celtic success because of Lawwell or in spite of him I suspect the latter
— Joe Dabernig (@JoeDabernig) February 28, 2020
If he released more money for players, Rodgers might still be here.
And like I said, he appointed Lennon, nobody with Celtic’s best interests at heart would have appointed Lennon.
He’s went the cheap road before, with Lennon the 1st time and Deila.
Lawwell is a parasite— VanMighty (@AwkJes) February 28, 2020
