The roller coaster ride that is Celtic in 2020-21 is set to make its next stop at Fir Park on Sunday, when the Hoops take on Motherwell in what is a must-win Premiership encounter.
Neil Lennon really needs to get the team back on track after the 4-1 loss to Sparta Prague on Thursday. He is already under massive amounts of pressure, and that will only increase if Celtic draw, or even lose at Fir Park.
The club rarely sacks managers, and not this early
However, don’t expect Lennon to be sacked by the Celtic board even if the Hoops do lose at Fir Park. Celtic very rarely sack managers, and especially not this early in the season.
Let’s look at the situation with former Celtic manager Tony Mowbray. It was obvious for months in the 2009-10 season that he wasn’t good enough for Celtic. However, he didn’t lose his job until the 25th of March 2010, after a 4-0 loss to St Mirren. Who was in charge of Celtic back then? The same people in charge now, Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond.
Also, you have to imagine that the current members of the Celtic board – who have appointed Neil Lennon as manager twice – will have complete faith in Lennon that can the turn the situation.
Manager has been in worse positions
After all, he has been in worse positions as Celtic boss. A 0-0 draw against Hibernian in October 2011 left the Hoops 12 points behind Rangers in the league table. Who won the league that season? Celtic!
There is no doubt that should Celtic fail to win on Sunday that the protests will be long and loud. However, it just wouldn’t be like Celtic to have a seismic change in direction so early in the season. Even though yes, this is the 10 in a row season and it matters more than most in recent years.
Only time will tell, but for the moment even if it comes to the worst at Fir Park the board will still back Neil Lennon.