Peter Lawwell may be leaving but he won’t be forgotten or forgiven by many Celtic fans.
Had the 61-year-old chosen to step down a year ago he could have enjoyed his retirement looking back on a period of unprecedent domestic success. A recent run of trophies that evaded Jock Stein and every other era in Celtic’s history.
Like heavy-weight boxers few know the right time to step down and walk away, the lure of one more title, another bout, an extra pay day can be hard to resist.
Delivering 10-in-a-row would have been irresistible for Lawwell, Celtic’s profile in Europe has crashed significantly in recent seasons btu much of that would have been overlooked if the club had delivered the cherished 10th title.
When the rot set in will be the guessing game of supporters for years to come.
At the end of August alarm bells should have been listened to when Ferencvaros ended hopes of reaching the Champions League group phase. If the defeat wasn’t enough of a warning Neil Lennon’s after-match comments should have caused alarm bells as he discussed players wanting away.
In the October Derby Celtic failed to put a shot on target, that reverse was followed by four more home defeats on the bounce. Sparta Prague beat Celtic 4-1 home and away.
At the start of December a managerial review was announced. In February Ian Bankier announced that no hasty decision would be made, later that month Neil Lennon resigned.
Dom McKay arrives tomorrow to shadow Lawwell, the new CEO has a massive rebuild to undertake, a look at his predecessor will show him how not to do the job.
LAWWELL’S LEGACY….. pic.twitter.com/LPYwDY5Roi
— The Retro Celtic? (@RetroCeltic) April 18, 2021
Agree.
My take is that Lawwell and the board are the issue here, downsizing the playing staff standard beyond belief. They made money along the way with The Rangers being gone . Miles below standard and a board who are inept by any standards— Satoshi McMurphy (@LovesACurry) April 18, 2021
Peter Lawwell is responsible. He hired the village idiot.
— CrimsonPete (@GFlimpy) April 18, 2021
You know everyone can call Rodgers for everything they want but I’m sorry to say he was dead right.
We might not have liked the way he done it but Lawwell gave him no alterntive.
Lawwell is the enemy within.
Did we have a better team than Rodger’s ?
Naw.— brian mc laughlin (@horseman222) April 18, 2021
Was Lawwell who appointed him. Desmond is culpable too. But Lawwell is the main culprit, ruined the club
— Scott? (@Mackay1981) April 18, 2021
First and foremost Lawwell’s flawed decision making. Lazy and complacent to bring in Lennon, a manager ten years behind the times. Standards began dropping there and then. Compounded by bringing in Hammond as poor a head of recruitment as I’ve ever seen.
— frank (@frankinperth) April 18, 2021
Unbelievable. They’re there for the taking and we implode. If that was a performance at amateur level then you’d know all about it in the changing room. You’d be hammered for it…and lest we forget Lawwell’s part in all this.
— Palma Bhoy (@Palma_Bhoy) April 18, 2021
The decline started in Rodgers final season and continued last season and totally imploded this season and I agree that lawwell is to blame
— Gerard Joyce (@GerardJoyce7) April 18, 2021
The biggest signing for me will be DOF/ Sporting Director. The fact that Lawwell will not be involved is absolutely massive. How many players over the years McGinn, Toney etc… all those“projects“ have his prints all over them.
— Pault1967 (@CrabbitCabbie) April 18, 2021
Peter lawwell sick of saying it that why Rodgers went and lennon done what he was told
— Jimbo88 (@Jimbo8812) April 18, 2021