With Celtic capitulating to another disappointing result at Ibrox today, the debate over Neil Lennon has re-emerged.
As has often been the case this season, fans have been divided over manager Neil Lennon. To many, he’s a Celtic icon who needs to see out the rest of the season. To others, he’s a relic of the past, and a symbol of short-term thinking at the club.
In Lennon’s defence, he was unlucky today. Celtic had swathes of chances but couldn’t find the cutting edge against a stern Rangers defence. Nir Bitton’s sending off enraged the Bhoys boss, who claimed that Bobby Madden’s poor display cost his side.
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Steven Gerrard, on the other hand, will be wondering how his side got away with a result today. If he had planned to absorb the pressure and take Rangers’ only chance in the match, then his preparation was clinical.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon / (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Celtic twitter erupts
On Twitter, Celtic fans were eager to have their say on Neil Lennon. Some defended the boss:
How is Neil Lennon responsible for Bitton’s moment of madness?
— JohnnyL57 (@JohnnyL57) January 2, 2021
This loss is not Neil Lennon’s fault by the way.
— The Celtic Bhoys (@CelticBhoysFS) January 2, 2021
God bless ye Neil Lennon you deserve to see out the season! The fights back in the team but we will ultimately rue our early season form.
Bring on hibs we go again and see where is gets us COYBIG!— Sean (@truetim67) January 2, 2021
But others were more damning in their assessments of the Celtic manager:
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Join the forum now >>If Neil Lennon, his backroom staff and Nir Bitton are on the plane to Dubai the noo the board are doing their job wrong.
— CM (@Googhan) January 2, 2021
It’s all over now. Rangers have won it. As a Celtic Fan I’ve always hated Neil Lennon. I’m just praying he has the good grace to resign.
— Mo Money Mike. (@joey_stacks) January 2, 2021
The Celtic team hasn’t been good enough. Neil Lennon hasn’t been good enough. It isn’t really any more complicated than that.
— James McEnaney (@MrMcEnaney) January 2, 2021
I’d mostly agree, but the reason we’ve lost the league by January IS on Neil Lennon. And also: when we go down to 10 men, why does he take off Turnbull and Griffiths, our two biggest scoring/creative threats? Lennon was clueless when we went down to 10.
— MacColla 🏴🇮🇪 🇪🇬🍀 (@MacCrolla1) January 2, 2021
Sick of it. Anyone other than Neil Lennon would’ve been sacked ages ago.
— Paul McQueen (@queenmachine67) January 2, 2021
The question now is whether the Celtic board will stick by their man, or have a very difficult conversation in Dubai.