Clear conscience Lennon admits he gets a kick out of criticism
Soccer Football - Champions League First Qualifying Round - Celtic v KR Reykjavik - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Britain - August 18, 2020 Celtic manager Neil Lennon REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Neil Lennon has revealed that his conscience is clear over Celtic’s dire season and that he gets a perverse kick out of the criticism he has attracted.
On Friday another LENNON OUT banner was unfurled at Lennoxtown and published online alongside a reminder to Lennon about how he’d hold his hands up if things didn’t work out.
Celtic are currently 21 points adrift in second place on the back of embarrassing knock-outs from the Champions League, Europa League and Betfred Cup.
After protesting fans made their feelings known outside of Celtic Park the club issued a statement at the start of November backing the manager while promising a managerial review in the new year.
Despite the gap at the top lengthening the review hasn’t been heard of with Lennon continuing in charge despite widespread criticism of him and the club across Social Media.
Responding to the criticism the former Hibs boss told the Daily Record:
People don’t see you, or choose not to see you, as a human being. The criticism is a lot harsher now. That’s why I’m a lot more guarded with the media. Sometimes I think I’m boring when I do press interviews as I don’t want to give too much away.
People analyse everything you say or are selective in their quotes and use it against you later. I’ve seen it with other people, peers of mine. Some court public opinion to get more followers or get more clickbait. These people have sold their souls a little bit.
I’m happy with the way I have dealt with things and my conscience is clear about how I’ve gone about my work as well. It certainly galvanises me, yes. In a perverse kind of way I quite enjoy it. I don’t take it personally. I have evidence to back up what I’ve achieved in the game here.
Should Celtic sack Neil Lennon?
Lennon was given the Celtic job in May 2019 on a 12 month rolling contract which suggests that it would cost the club a year’s salary to sack him.