Not Another Lenny- Celtic fans react to management rumour

Celtic fans reacted with near unanimity to the suggestion that Neil Lennon could return as manager.

The source was a bookmakers ‘Next Celtic Manager’ list which has very little relationship to reality. Continuing with Martin O’Neill seems unthinkable but at Celtic nothing can be ruled out.

It Next Manager odds did enough to trigger an incredible reaction.

There was more hostility on Twitter/X to the prospect of Lennon III than there was to any single aspect of Sunday’s shambles in the Glasgow Derby.

Lennon’s second spell as Celtic manager ended in February 2021, at least six months too late.

What Lennon got upto during Lockdown is likely to forever remain a mystery. The Celtic team that emerged from it was unrecognisable from the one that Lennon inherited from Brendan Rodgers.

At Omonia of Cyprus he lasted 29 matches, with Rapid Bucharest he only lasted six games.

Currently at Dunfermline he has survived 70 games in the second tier of Scottish football. Dunfermline are currently fourth in the Championship, seven points behind Stenhousemuir. No Celtic fan is stating the case for Marvin Bartley to be appointed Celtic manager.

NEIL LENNON- THE CELTIC BOOMERANG

Lennon’s managerial record is as mediocre as Shaun Maloney. If Celtic are looking at failed Hibs managers David Gray has recently become available.

Twice Lennon has been appointed as Celtic caretaker manager.

Both times Peter Lawwell took the lazy option of upgrading him to permanent manager. In-between he managed Bolton and Hibs without pulling up any trees.

Had Lennon stepped down as Celtic manager after losing a home Champions League qualifier to Ferencvaros in 2020 he would have retained some respect.

Instead he hung around for six months blaming the players as fans grew angry watching their online streams.

Last week Celtic were again losing at home to Ferencvaros. On TNT Lennon tore into the players while by-passing any comment on the management and board.

It sounded very like he was deflecting for his former pay-masters while auditioning for another Celtic return.

On Thursday Lennon was sharing his script with TNT, on Sunday he was in the chair for Sky Sports.

Just under a year ago the Dunfermline boss was on a similar mission.

Sky Sports, TNT and Premier all turned to the Dunfermline boss as he criticised Rodgers on every issue.

LENNON V RODGERS

The idea of Lennon putting the boot into Rodgers is ridiculous until you look into the motivations.

Post Celtic Rodgers moved to Leicester City and Al Qadsiah. Lennon got jobs at Bolton and Omonia.

Celtic is the only decent managerial pay day that Lennon will get near. He managed Celtic to a Champions League win over Barcelona then waited five months before getting the offer to manage Bolton.

Celtic supporters know how to make their voices heard.

No-one will admit it but as friendly media outlets briefed for the appointment of Robbie Keane the backlash was ferocious.

Whether it was Keane or Celtic that got cold feet the impact was the same.

The thought was dropped with appointing O’Neill the very convenient fall-back.

Now the fall-back is the problem.

Anyone thinking about Lennon knows exactly what to expect in terms of ‘fan engagement’.

Meanwhile Celtic are expected to publish their 2026 Annual Report on Friday evening showing further profits, Corporation Tax payments to accompany failure on the pitch.