Celtic fans weren’t impressed when the club released pictures of the players training in Dubai.
Images yesterday of Neil Lennon and Scott Brown drinking poolside wasn’t the best message to send back to supporters trying to come to terms with a 19-point gap at the top of the SPFL Premiership table.
Suessive home matches in November saw fans protesting outside with Peter Lawwell forced into two statements in under a fortnight as he appealed for understanding and support.
The introduction of David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro into the team brought an upturn in fortunes but for many fans it was too little too late with both players available since September.
In previous seasons the club has been keen to highlight the Dubai trip as the opportunity to refresh and regroup for the second half of the season. With results crashing through the floor in the midst of a pandemic images of players and staff enjoying the sunshine haven’t been well received.
Everyone is entitled to a break, to relax and unwind but in a very public role the images from Dubai are decidedly off-colour and doing nothing for the image of the club.
? More from our first training session in Dubai on Twitter fleet soon. #CelticFC ??? pic.twitter.com/FMre01FiLb
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 4, 2021
Travelling to Dubai during a pandemic when we can’t see family and friends is a kick in the teeth.
£500 for a virtual season ticket has been spent well I see. What are the chances of a refund for this season?
— Sean Mulgrew (@KcKBhoyingreen) January 4, 2021
Clubs a disgrace from top to bottom. Directors,coaching staff and the players hunt the lot of them. I’ll be keeping my season book money this year not giving it over to this shower for jollys like this during a pandemic. I hope the scottish government have something to say.
— David McGivern (@mcgivern_d) January 4, 2021
Has Lennons position been reviewed in the new year.
— Lennadona (@CellicFC) January 4, 2021
Mad how some of our fans think because they bought a strip once back before the game in Seville that our players can’t have a pint ever again ?
The season has been very disappointing but I don’t think they’ll play any better if we lock them in a dungeon over winter either.
— Jock (@Jocksbhoys) January 4, 2021
Going abroad while none of the support can due to a pandemic is tone deaf. Doing it after countless poor performances is a slap in the face.
— mixed race chris (@mixedracechris) January 4, 2021
Knew loads of training pics would be coming today after last night
— Patrick Murphy (@PatrickMurphy89) January 4, 2021
Why should I self isolate on return when travelling? People have lost their lives due to this virus, I expect an apology.
— Celtic Football Club (@Celtic__FC_) January 4, 2021
I really hope you don’t sack Lennon. Make his stay and face losing the 10 in a row! Don’t let him off easy as he was the one stubborn not to walk.
— Paddy (@paddy9990) January 4, 2021
It’s a mid-season training camp, no a holiday
— Scott Browne (@ScottBrowne67) January 4, 2021