Davie Provan has told Peter Lawwell that if Neil Lennon leaves Celtic the CEO should follow him out the door.
Lennon has come under intense pressure to quit over the last few weeks with Celtic’s domestic and European results nose-diving.
The stats have been alarming with a 2-8 aggregate from Sparta Prague covering a run of two wins in nine matches that have involved 21 goals being lost.
Lawwell landed on his feet when Lennon became available a couple of weeks before he accepted a £9m compensation cheque from Leicester City for Brendan Rodgers but the permanent appointment in the Hampden dressing room in May 2019 didn’t seem like the outcome of a thorough recruitment process.
In previous years Lawwell has chosen the most appropriate moment to be interviewed by his favourite media outlets but in 2020 he has been keeping a very low profile.
During the current run of domestic success Celtic have regressed badly in Europe with that decline firmly the responsibility of the CEO.
Not too long ago Celtic were capable of beating any team on home turf but over the last 15 months mid-ranking teams such as Cluj, Copenhagen, Ferencvaros and Sparta Prague have been whooping it up in the away dressing room as Celtic Park becomes a ground for easy pickings.
Spelling things out to the CEO in The Sun, Provan writes:
Twelve years ago, Gordon Strachan had Celtic in the Champions League group stage where AC Milan, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk were all beaten at Celtic Park. Milan were defending champions at the time.
Strach’s team gave Barcelona a run for their money before losing 4-2 at the knockout stage. Manchester United were another of the European elite to come off second best to Strachan’s side.
I’d love to get Peter Lawwell’s take on what’s happened since. In particular, how Celtic were bounced out of the Champions League by Legia Warsaw, Maribor, Malmo, AEK Athens, Cluj and Ferencvaros.
Yeah, I know Legia were booted out on a technicality but they beat Celtic 6-1 over two games. That’s Legia Warsaw! The Celtic board has chucked it in Europe but they’ll get off the hook if the club wins The Ten.
Question is, do they believe Lennon can still deliver it? I could be wrong in assuming it’ll be the board’s call. Lennon has said he’ll know when his time is up. If he feels he can’t squeeze any more from his players he could walk.
If he does, Mr Lawwell should follow him.