Ten years ago today Neil Lennon was appointed as permanent manager of Celtic. No-one could have guessed what lay ahead.
‘This isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning’ he told the Celtic support at the end of his first season in charge, one of turmoil ended with Celtic missing out on the SPL title by one point.
Almost before the Celtic players had got warned up in their final match, at home to Motherwell, news of a goals fest at Kilmarnock had killed off any prospect of a last day fairy-tale.
The manager had taken on more than anyone on a coaching course ever encountered. More than the kitchen sink was thrown at Lennon, bullets and bombs had been sent in the post. At Tynecastle a Hearts fan had got out of the Main Stand, walked along the touchline to attack Lennon, the home fans roared their appreciation.
On this day in 2010, Neil Lennon is officially appointed manager of Celtic following his spell as caretaker boss. His love for the club can never be questioned. He is the best and only manager to lead us to 10 in a row. “This isn’t the end, this is just the beginning.” pic.twitter.com/iDc7pKF9Do
— CelticLisboa (@CelticLisboaa) June 8, 2020
A year later it was Celtic’s turn to celebrate a title win at Kilmarnock, it was Celtic’s first title success since the emotional night at Tannadice in 2008.
In the video above Lennon addressed the Celtic support after winning his second title, a season that included a Champions League win over Barcelona with a Scottish Cup Final triumph against Hibs a week away.
Now a generation of Celtic fans haven’t known anything other than success. Title wins are weighed up alongside Treble’s. In 2010 Celtic had enjoyed three treble successes, today that tally has been hoisted to six with another one pending.
Lennon is back in charge, Ronny Deila and Brendan Rodgers kept the ship on course, no one is better placed to deliver at least one more to add weight to his promise.
