Celtic’s indecision on Lennon puts January chances in jeopardy

Add as preferred source on Google

So Celtic have made their decision on Neil Lennon. Well, kind of.

The Scottish Sun reported on Monday night that the Hoops were sticking by him for the time being. That was then backed up by Peter Lawwell sending out a load of absolute waffle to the support urging us all to stick together.

What they’re saying is that Lennon is the man for now. Or at least until the pressure gets even worse and they’re forced to take a look at things again.

Lennon is nowhere near out of the woods however, and another woeful result or two could very well see him booted out before the New Year.

But Celtic look like they’ve now spurned a glorious opportunity to get an early change in before the January window. They’re keeping Lennon in the hot seat for now but without any long-term commitment that he’ll stay there.

And this sets us up to ruin our main opportunity to strengthen the club appropriately in January. Had Celtic made the change now, any new boss would’ve had a short period to take a look at the squad and draw up positions that need strengthening in their opinion.

Celtic’s indecision on Lennon has allowed him to remain in the post well into December. It’s difficult to see him being sacked after a defeat in Milan, and you would still bet Celtic to get results in the fixtures between now and January. Don’t tell me we’re not favourites to beat St Johnstone at home on Sunday, as well as Dundee Utd, Kilmarnock, and a rematch with Ross County at Parkhead.

The board is giving Lennon the opportunity to see these games through before our trip to Rangers at the beginning of the new year. Defeat there and he’s surely done, but it’ll be too late for any new manager to put a true stamp on things in January.

January targets will want to see a project at Parkhead

You also have to look at things from any potential signing target’s perspective. Take Philadelphia Union’s Mark McKenzie for example.

“Right Mark. We know there might be interest from the Bundesliga, but come and join us instead because we’re 11 points behind in the league, in a crisis and have no long-term plan at the moment. Oh, should we lose the next game or two then the manager who signed you could be off too. Fan pressure and all that”.

So long as Lennon takes us into the January transfer window, we’re not as attractive a proposition as we should be. Not when we should be six months from making history. Any signing target should be sold on the fact they could be a club icon within months if they sign and secure the 10. Instead, the shadow of Lennon’s future will likely overbear their thoughts.

We have to put ourselves in the best possible light in order to secure the likes of McKenzie, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Alfie Doughty to name a few potential options.

Instead, Lennon’s continued stay as Celtic manager will only keep the toxic atmosphere around the club going for a few more weeks. Wins against the likes of Killie, Saints, County, and Dundee Utd won’t do it either. Not if we then lose the derby to Rangers next month.

And if that happens and Lennon does go, what then? Go to some of our targets and let them know we’re managerless? Brilliant, we would look even more attractive than wouldn’t we? “Come and sign for us, you might not get a game when the new manager comes in but hey ho.”

Celtic had their chance this weekend to make a drastic change, get a new manager in, evaluate the squad ahead of January, and secure the targets he needed. Instead, we’ll continue to trickle into the window without any source of certainty regarding the club’s long-term future.

All power to the board though – we need to stick together after all. What they really mean? Stop yer moaning and follow us blindly.