Neil Lennon has been confirmed as the club’s first-choice as the new manager.
So let’s get this off the bat straight away – this is not a piece looking to have a go at Lennon. We can all argue whether he’s the man for the job or not, but he’s been chosen to take it on now. As Celtic supporters, it’s our duty to back him in the hope he leads us firstly to nine-in-a-row, and then hopefully 10.
The man who must answer some serious questions here is Peter Lawwell. Celtic’s Chief Executive yesterday made the astonishing claim that the club hasn’t spoken to any other managerial candidate (Scottish Sun). It was meant to be out of respect for Lennon, but it doesn’t come out well at all.
This appointment was the most important for the club in modern-day history. Words simply can’t describe just how monumental 10-in-a-row is to Celtic. Surely, then, the club should’ve been turning every stone in a bid to find all suitable candidates.
If Lennon had been part of an interview process and came out the victor, who could argue? At the very least the club would’ve been doing their research and found the man to put their trust in. But, instead, Celtic refused to even entertain what else was out there? That’s a shambles.
Make no mistake, the timing of Lennon’s appointment was sneaky from the board too. Just look at the majority of the reaction to the official post on Twitter.
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It comes across as though the board hoped Celtic fans would be so caught up in the treble treble success that they wouldn’t be angry over the move. Many Celtic fans didn’t want Lennon, and that has to be respected and acknowledged by Lawwell. And therefore, he simply must come out explain the process behind our managerial hunt, if there even was one.
Narrow-minded from the board
It’s far too narrow-minded from Celtic here. Lennon may turn out to be a rip-roaring success, and all of us really hope that’s the case. But as a fanbase, we’ve been let down here. Not by the appointment, but by the manner in which it’s been carried out. By the fact our board hasn’t entertained any other candidate.
For example, the likes of Slaven Bilic (BBC) and Andre Villas-Boas (Daily Record) are two names who have been linked. These are two men that have done much more in the game than Lennon, yet they were never given any thought?
We have to reiterate – everyone must back Lennon. We have some big challenges ahead of us, and nobody wishes him anything but the biggest of successes possible.
But at the same time, why let the board away with being so lazy in our managerial hunt? Looking and talking to other candidates isn’t disrespectful, it’s called finding the best possible man for the job. Lennon himself easily demanded an interview. His success this season could also have gone towards helping him too.
But not talking to anyone? That doesn’t sit right.
Once again, good luck to Lenny ahead of the nine-in-a-row charge. It’s a huge couple of years ahead for Celtic, and hopefully the board’s trust has been well-placed. He deserves all the support going after finalising the treble this season, and a big year of transition could lie ahead.