So the big Neil Lennon January review is supposed to be coming up. Or has it already happened?
Who knows eh? All we’ve been told is that at some stage the board will review things in the new year. That’s what they said to us. They didn’t decide to put a date on it, but you’d expect that.
For many, it was a case of “let’s see how he does at Ibrox”. Yesterday, I provided four reasons as to why Lennon will likely avoid the chop. But I spoke as if the decision was still to be made.
Now, after seeing Lennon jet off to Dubai with the rest of his Celtic squad, it’s pretty clear he’s already been given assurances.
Celtic’s strong performance at Ibrox followed six consecutive wins that looked to have had us back on track. Celtic were flying again, and even though the defeat at Ibrox looks disastrous to our title hopes, the team have been playing much better.
The Lennon January review won’t have been as scathing as some may expect
Again, before you shoot me down, this is just what I believe the board will be feeling. Not my own personal view. If it was down to me I would’ve made a major change back in October. Celtic 1-4 Sparta Prague was the final straw for me.
Anyway, Lennon’s January review won’t have been as critical as many may have expected or even hoped. Not for the period he was actually judged on. With Celtic finally finding a formula to cope with Rangers too, the board will likely see that as a feather in Lennon’s cap.
Put it this way – had Celtic been mauled 3-0 or 4-0 at Ibrox, Dubai would’ve been delayed or cancelled. Or at least I would like to hope it would’ve been. It should’ve been regardless given the pandemic, but that’s another story.
Celtic aren’t going to send Lennon to Dubai and then tell him enough’s enough. What a waste of a trip that would look like to the supporters. If the board haven’t looked at him as the man to lead them, why would he be there?
For me, Celtic’s January review was never going to be a big public event. It was always going to be a reaction to the Rangers game. Personally, I feel the board will have come away from it satisfied that Lennon knows what he’s doing. Then again the cynic in me can’t help but think that they more believe they can “get away” with keeping Lennon after the performance.
In any case, don’t expect his sacking anytime soon. For those hoping for his January review to come back negative, you can likely forget about it.
In other news, a BBC Scotland journalist has provided major relief for Celtic after today’s big national announcement.
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