After last night’s fan protest at Celtic Park and the subsequent statement from the club, fans haven’t really had a good write up in the press.
Former stars such as Chris Sutton, John Hartson have lambasted the fans, while headlines have screamed across the print papers dramatically detailing events outside the stadium.
That’s not to say anyone stepping over the mark last night should be free from criticism, far from it.
Still, from some of the coverage, you’d think it was the first time that fans have ever protested outside their club’s ground calling for the removal of staff.
Fans have been labelled ‘entitled’, ‘spoiled by success’, ‘idiots’ and ‘ungrateful’, even by others in the wider Celtic support.
But to see the true nature of our fans, you need only look at a match at Tynecastle three years ago when we were thumped 4-0 by Hearts, ending the incredible unbeaten run of Brendan Rodgers’ team.
Perhaps you’d expect a bit of anger at that performance, one of the worst in recent memory. Maybe you’d expect condemnation of the team after suffering a heavy defeat to one of our fiercest rivals.
Instead, what the team received after the full-time whistle was adulation and applause, in recognition of their amazing achievement that had finally come to an end.
You can see the clip on Twitter, after a fan posted it today. You can also see it on the official SPFL YouTube channel.
The way Celtic fans are calling for Lennon to go right now isn’t because we are spoiled, or because of one cup exit after multiple trophies in succession.
It’s because of a steady regression ever since he was appointed permanently after the Scottish Cup final.
There is no sign of progress at all this season.
We’ve exited two European competitions despite being top seeds in both. We’re out of the League Cup. We’re 11 points adrift, albeit with two games in hand. Some of our summer signings can barely get in the team. We look tactically lost and defensively embarrassing.
It’s unfortunate that the club itself doesn’t seem to be willing to recognise this, but then it’s long been known they are out of touch with supporters.
Celtic fans are here, ready, willing and able to back the right project. This isn’t it.
As my colleague Euan Davidson wrote last week, criticism of the club does not equal lack of support.
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