Whatever the purpose was for Neil Lennon’s interview in The Times it didn’t go down well with Celtic fans. Perhaps they are the ‘new breed’ that the Irishman can’t come to terms with.
It seemed that the purpose of the interview was to launch the New Lenny on the public, the deep thinker, a victim of perceptions coloured by a nasty new breed of supporter that doesn’t noddingly approve of everything that they are fed through the media.
The interview was a horrid mixture of deflection and self pity. New Lenny is a changed man, cutting down on alcohol and his golf handicap while working out with his own Personal Trainer. Perhaps the facilities at Lennoxtown weren’t suitable.
Tellingly Lennon’s interview touched on only one European tie- the match against Lazio in November 2019 which apparently Lennon won rather than the team. Strangely Lennon doesn’t mention the disastrous defeats he racked up against Cluj, Ferencvaros or Sparta Prague. Twice.
Any lingering sympathy that the former Celtic boss might have retained as a victim of circumstances has almost evaporated.
He did retain some credit for past deeds against the abuse, violence and hatred that he encountered across Scotland but that well is almost dry as he launches his new media career having cut himself off from a large part of his potential audience.
If fans were unsure whether Lennon was able to maintain his ‘legend’ status, despite the train wreck of last season, he has now sealed his fate. No introspection, no perspective, no clue.
— Spicedog49??????? (@spicedog49) June 5, 2021
Embarrassing and Ridiculous from NL!! He won’t take his part of the blame..he’s alienated himself even more from fans!
— @CiaránShev (@CiaranShevlin) June 5, 2021
His lack of self awareness is astonishing. His lecture on the Celtic fans on the values of club is outrageous. Blames everyone but himself.
— LouMun 67 (@lfmunro) June 5, 2021
If being a new breed of fan means I
?Don’t slavishly follow an out of touch board
?Can think for myself
?Want what’s best for my club at all times
?Know what liquidation means
?Realise the old firm brand is dead
Then I’m proud to be one HH— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) June 5, 2021
Lennon stubbornly refused to change when it was clearly not working, indefensible arrogance, I wish him well but he got 4-5 months longer than he should have.
— MonTheHoopleheads (@hoopleheads_) June 5, 2021
Needs to stop dining out on beating Barca and Lazio. Was regularly scudded in Europe by teams with much smaller resources. Some of our most limp performances in the last 20 years occurred last season under this guy. Strangely he pinned some of it on a LACK of fans
— David McQuillan (@DavMcQ84) June 5, 2021
Aye cos the fans made you play without a striker in a champions league qualifier, take responsibility for your total lack of professionalism & and your utterly baffling team selections.
— scott McIntyre (@scottMc85081322) June 5, 2021
He should have walked in November but held on till February for a pay off .
— Althetim (@AlanSte21715505) June 5, 2021
A yes man for the board that stood up for them when the pressure was starting to tell
— Douglas Hepburn (@DouglasHepburn) June 5, 2021
Incredible he still can’t see he was the problem.
We knew the season was fucked after the CL qualifiers.
— StuporousFunker (@TamRogic1) June 5, 2021