Celtic fans weren’t slow to respond to Neil Lennon’s claim that there was no justification for his sacking.
For most fans calling for the removal of an iconic figure isn’t something that comes easily and it doesn’t come out of the nowhere after three bad results.
Pre Social Media supporters realised in 1978 that something was missing from Jock Stein’s management, 11 years earlier he had single handedly created the greatest moment in Scottish sporting history.
In 1991 it was painful to witness the demise of Billy McNeill as manager. A number of factors contributed, both men were poorly backed by successive Boards of Directors but the end was inevitable and correct. In private after the hurt both men were probably a little relieved to be out of the firing line. It is a heavy burden to carry.
While appreciating his contribution and sacrifices as a player and manager there was a large number of supporters unhappy and concerned when Lennon was reappointed on a permanent basis in May 2019. Whether it was a majority of fans is hard to determine.
At the turn of this year Lennon transformed his squad, playing with two strikers the side picked up 28 points out of 30 while booking a place in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. In 30 SPFL matches last season Celtic dropped points in four matches.
Saturday’s draw at Aberdeen was the third time in 11 matches that points were dropped. The team looks disjoined and critically lacking spirit and drive. On the bench, from TV pictures, the manager looks detached.
Those factors more than results are causing concern. On Social Media some fans appear to be looking forward with glee to Lennon’s removal, for the majority it would be a very reluctant move, one that reflects very badly on the judgement of the CEO.
Today’s comments from the Irishman are certainly battling and defiant, if he can get the same characteristics into the play of the team his critics will be forced to delete their words.
Strong stuff from Neil Lennon today on criticism of him, Shane Duffy, the team at a whole.
“There’s no justification at the moment for me to be sacked, none whatsoever”.
— Alison Conroy (@AlisonGConroy) October 27, 2020
As each game passes, the justification for him to stay is dwindling at an alarming rate.
This isn’t 1 or 2 players off form, this is a squad with no direction, no cohesion and no belief they can win games, no matter what formation or personnel it’s the same outcome on the park.
— ????32???? (@sc32ie) October 27, 2020
Aye just the 0 shots on target at home to Rangers, Neil.
— mh (@_MH_67) October 27, 2020
No justification.
Just a team and club clearly in reverse compared with 4 years ago.
Consistent champs league qualification failure, and then failure to breach last 32 of Europa.
Aye OK Neil, everything is just grand— Gazzarinho (@gazzarinho1) October 27, 2020
Like Cluj, Copenhagen, Ferencvaros never happened.
— David O’Reilly (@DavidOReilly3) October 27, 2020
He never did have any self-awareness
— Paddy Trainor (@paddyjtrainor) October 27, 2020