The talking point of the new Neil Lennon replacement has been stretching all the way back to that first derby loss in October.
When Rangers beat Celtic 2-0 at Parkhead after what was already an unconvincing start to the season, alarm bells were ringing. The Hoops had been poor for the majority of the season but had largely been getting away with it.
Outside of the Ferencvaros disaster, we were dismal against the likes of Kilmarnock, St Mirren, and Dundee Utd before we faced our Glasgow rivals. It was no surprise to many that we lost either given how poorly we had been playing in the build-up.
However, even though some talk over potential early replacements for Lennon was had, it was largely deemed disrespectful. It wasn’t fair at the time to discuss Lennon’s job. The main reason for that was supposed to be that it’s not right to discuss it whilst another man already holds it.
And whilst that generally remains the case, you can fast forward three months and it’s now all Celtic fans talk about. The discussion over Lennon’s potential successor has now been going on for weeks.
Fans have been discussing the likes of Eddie Howe, Rafa Benitez [Glasgow Live], and Frank Lampard as potential options. And without a care in the world for the fact that Lennon still holds the office.
So why then is it now acceptable to start dismissing the fact he has the job? Why are we so quick to try and move on and show what’s supposed to be a high level of disrespect?
No longer disrespectful for Celtic fans to discuss Neil Lennon replacement
Well, the fact is that it’s no longer an insult anymore. You can’t frame it as disrespectful when the only disrespect shown this season has been from the club to its supporters.
This football club has thrown away something fans have bigged up for nine years. Something we’ve all been waiting for and invested into the club to see. It could’ve been retrievable had we acted quickly enough, but we failed to do so.
In addition to that, we have a manager that refuses to face reality. A manager in clear denial and one that simply isn’t showing any respect whatsoever for the supporters’ opinions.
After last week’s 2-2 draw in Livingston – our NINTH in 22 league games that we’ve failed to win – Lennon again said he’s going nowhere [BBC]. That the club would more or less have to sack him to get rid of him.
In other words, he wants paid off instead of doing the right thing and bowing out. Why then should supporters show a high level of respect for a man who’s happily let 10-in-a-row sink for his own personal gain?
Make no mistake and this is something that really needs to be made clear – Lennon could’ve called time on this whenever he saw fit. We’ve seen Gary Holt do the same at Livingston – he left when he knew he couldn’t take things further [BBC]. He refused to be delusional about the situation.
Lennon has refused to acknowledge the severity of his own scenario. And in doing so he’s absolutely destroyed a campaign that supporters have waited nine years for.
That’s why there’s no more disrespect attached to talking up his new successor. And supporters should have no shame in continuing to do so.
In other news, Celtic fans have been debating one of those potential managerial successors earlier today.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
