Neil Lennon

My apologies for not constantly coming to the defence of someone who cheats on his wife and threatens to stab his mistress. He stayed with Celtic because he's a complete ego maniac who loves the attention who thrives of fthe sycophants like you constantly sucking his *.

 

All I see is maybe someone answering a question about a return one day. The Lennon haters though will run with this in a negative spin as they always do. Everyone knows and even Lennon aswell thst he won't be manager again however football is a strange aul game and ya just never know what happens down the line. He's just answering a question as best he can.

 

Lol

 

If it was up to me, he'd always be welcome as a spectator. I have my gripes with him, but as @leeso-ardoyne has said, we would turn on Ange if results are poor. Knives were out in the early part of last season. I myself didn't want him. Let's be realistic with regards to Lennon. He's has big successes as our player and our manager, and he's had failures. I supoose 10IAR wasn't meant to be. And he must be as devastated as we are about it.

 

Neil Lennon doesn't like to see top players leave Celtic but admits there is an inevitability that it will happen.

It has been a process that the Hoops have faced over the years with top talents like Virgil van Dijk, Fraser Forster, Victor Wanyama, Kieran Tierney and Stuart Armstrong to name a few. This current crop is no different with big clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona believed to be circling around Croatia World Cup star Josip Juranovic.



Hi performances in Qatar escalated him to another level and with Ange Postecogloualready moving quickly for Alistair Johnston, it paves the way for a potential transfer to happen. Lennon is no stranger to the wonderful world of transfer business having dealt with it in two spells at Celtic


The club have always looked to find hidden gems and make big profit. It's happened before and it will happen again with Juranvoic hailed as a 'top player' by the former boss as he discussed the speculation surrounding his future and the area of the park he would look to add further cover in with three new signings already in the door during the January window.


Speaking exclusively to Glasgow Live Sport on behalf of Football Odds, he said: "There is a lot of speculation surrounding him and that for me is understandable because he is a top player. The fact that Celtic have brought Alistair in sort of paves the way now for Juranovic to leave.



"But I don't like to see the top players leave Celtic, but there is an inevitability about it sometimes and I am sure he is very sought after because I thought he had a great World Cup."



On where he would add in the current side, he added: "Just maybe some centre-half cover. A back-up for Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt. I know Moritz Jenz and Welshy [Stephen Welsh] are in the building. But I don't know if there is an injury there or something like that but I think Ange, like we all do, likes to strengthen from an area of strength. If there was one area maybe that he could sort of bolster it would be centre-back for me."




Another player who has been linked with a Celtic exit is striker Giorgos Giakoumakis. Lennon is a huge fan of the hitman - who has scored 25 goals in 55 appearances for the Scottish champions - and he believes he has a huge part to play this campaign with the Hoops challenging for the Premiership title and domestic cup success with a Hampden semi-final on the horizon.

He continued: "He's an excellent player. With myself being out in Cyprus and Giakoumakis being Greek there is a lot of interest in him out in Cyprus. He's well thought of by the Greeks. He's improved a * of a lot since he stepped in at Celtic.

"His scoring record before he arrived in Scotland was excellent. Playing in probably an average Dutch side his record was great and again at Celtic it is excellent.




again, I know he has only been there around 18 months but I would hopefully like to see him stay for a little bit longer. I know he might be little bit frustrated by a lack of game-time but I think he still has a huge part to play in Celtic's season."

Celtic maintained their nine point advantage at the league summit following a thrilling Old Firm derby at Ibrox.

It was a game Lennon believes was 'must-win' for Michael Beale and Rangers and after grinding out a result thanks to Kyogo Furuhashi's late leveller, the 51-year-old believes it will prove to be massive in the context of the season. He was also quick to praise Johnston after being thrown in for a real baptism of fire on his debut


Asked how the result leaves the title chase, he said: "There is still a bit of work to go but it puts Celtic in a great position. It was a must-win for Rangers really to get the gap to six points.




The fact that Celtic sort of by their own admission didn't play that well, but they dug out a result which is really important. In the context of the season it is a huge result for them going forward.

"I think Alistair [Johnston] may have been around the squad for a few weeks but to go into that cauldron is a big step. I know he played in the World Cup and in big games there but nothing can prepare you for Celtic and Rangers games. Particularly away from home. I think he handled it very well and he will get better for the experience




One man who has been on top form at the World Cup and since his arrival back has been Daizen Maeda.

Postecoglou is a huge admirer of the work he puts in both in attack and defence and the speedy attacker really gave James Tavernier a tough shift during the derby. He showed what Lennon describes as 'pace and power' before slotting beyond Allan McGregor after just five minutes to follow up his stunning midweek goal at Hibs.

Questions have been asked over whether the Light Blues skipper could have put in the challenge as he looked in position to do so. Lennon is one of those who believes that to be the case, but he won't take anything away from Maeda's work rate and finish.

He said: "He took his goal brilliantly. Pace and power and a really good finish. It is probably a criticism of him really. He keeps putting himself in the right positions. His speed and work-rate are fantastic. I was delighted to see him score yesterday.


I thought [James] Tavernier could have got there. I don't know if he was trying to roll it back to [Connor] Goldson instead of getting the tackle in.

"Maeda was strong and just left Goldson for dead. He then had the momentum and run. It was a great start for Celtic but in the context of the game it was nervy and that is understandable. Now that one is out the way and no damage is done, Celtic will kick-on."

 

Don’t think anything he’s said there is particularly controversial

 

He's Catholic ffs

 

Played for the "North" though. They're definitely a parody.

 

Neil Lennon will NOT rule out a return to the dugout in Scotland as he revealed he's already had some job offers.

The 51-year-old is currently on the hunt for his next opportunity after being sacked by Omonia Nicosia. The Celtic hero tasted instant success in Cyprus by lifting domestic silverware before a stunning Europa Leaguequalifying win over Gent that secured what he describes as a 'sexy' draw against Manchester United and Real Sociedad in the group stages. Lennon admits it was disappointing to be axed so soon with decisions taken 'very quickly' but the experience has not put him off taking on another job outside of Europe.




His management career to date includes two trophy-laden stints at Celtic, promotion success with Hibs and a spell down south with Bolton as well as his Cypriot adventure. Another go in the dugout close to home is something Lenny refuses to close the door on and admits if they right project presented itself he would be keen with 'many good clubs' in Scotland.


When asked if he's had any job offers since departing Cyprus, he told Glasgow Live Sportin an exclusive interview on behalf of Football Odds : "I have yeah, but nothing that sort of tickles my fancy at the minute.

"I had a compensation package with Omonia that is sort of finished now so I am free to look elsewhere. I am doing some media work and have enjoyed Christmas and New Year so now I am ready to go again. I am going to start looking now and see if there is anything but it is a very difficult business.


There are so many managers out there and so many good managers out of work so it is very competitive. You can't just go: 'Yeah I would love that job as if you are going to get it'


You've got to be patient but at 51 I am still very young and I look forward to the next challenge wherever that may be."

When asked if he would rule out a return to management in Scotland, he added: "That is my home. I wouldn't be adverse to that. I've done Celtic twice and Hibs. Going to Cyprus was brilliant as it was so diverse and a nice fresh challenge. I really enjoyed that.

"Maybe Scotland if the right offer came along and it was a good project to grit your teeth into. I wouldn't be adverse to that at all. There are many, many good clubs in Scotland and Scottish football is a really good product as well."


His experience in Cyprus may have been short-lived but it is one he really enjoyed




was surprised by just how good the standard of football was and the competitive nature of the league with four of five teams in the running for the title each season.

He took the likes of Gary Hooper, Adam Matthews and Brandon Barker out with him as part of his journey. He may not be the manager anymore but he is planning a return visit in the coming weeks and will catch up with the trio during his trip.

On his time at Omonia, he explained: "I really enjoyed it. It was a really competitive league. When I arrived we were in the bottom six. It is a bit like Scotland where it splits after so many games so we were in the bottom six but still in the cup. To go on and win it was a brilliant experience and the celebrations after were crazy.




The climate is great and the standard of football is surprisingly good. The top four or five teams can win it. It is not just down to one or two teams so no one runs away with it. It is really competitive and a good bunch of boys.




We then beat Gent home and away to qualify for the Europa League and then we landed the sexy draw alongside Real Sociedad, Manchester United and FC Sheriff. Although that was probably just a level too much at that time.

"It was disappointing to leave but the Cypriot owners are emotional types and make these decisions very quickly. I went out there with an open-mind and had sort of a year in mind to get the experience of it all but it was wonderful. I really, really enjoyed it."

Asked if his experience has put him off working abroad again, he added: "No, not at all. The far opposite from it really. The only problem is you are away from home and the family are back in Glasgow. That was the only drawback really. The rest of it was very enjoyable. I learnt a lot. You come up against Spanish, Serbian, Slovenian and Cypriot coaches and all different styles of football which was fascinating to come up against."




On Barker, Hooper and Matthews, he continued: "They loved it. Adam [Matthews] and Brandon [Barker] came in at the start of the pre-season and did the full pre-season. Gary [Hooper] came in on the last day of the window so it took him time to get up to speed but he's been banging in the goals as you would expect.

"The other two have loved it. Adam in particular was exceptionally good. Wales were keeping an eye on him before the World Cup as well. He needed the pre-season and it has done him good. Brandon is a little more inconsistent but again they are enjoying the life out there. I am going back out there in a couple of weeks and I'll probably catch up with them when I do."

 

That's how I feel about it. Awful run in the 10IAR year and handled it poorly. But the hate from some elements to our support is unfathomable to me. He played his part in losing us the 10 but it was a combination of poor management, a complacent board, and a squad that wanted out the door. There was no malice in it, he was a dedicated player and manager before that and deserves forgiveness.

 

He’s disliked largely because of the way he spoke about the support, which is something many people fail to mention or understand.

Pretending the ‘hate’ is all about the results is disingenuous. I don’t know why people do that. It won’t make us forget, it’s actually a reminder.

Deserves forgiveness? He hasn’t asked for any. He still * hates us for daring to suggest he might not be the second coming, such is his arrogance.

I suspect he’ll eventually come round when he’s been sufficiently humbled after a few more sackings, just like last time.

* I don’t think I’ll ever forget how arrogant he was when he left the first time and how humble he was when he meekly came back to ride on the success of the powerhouse Rodgers built for him.

 

He spoke about a section of the support and criticised them for demonstrating after a cup loss, hurling abuse at players. You hate him for that?

You give him no credit at all for steadying the ship after the rat abandoned us and going on to complete the treble that year, and win the treble the following year. By your logic, anybody could have taken over and done that. Really?

Let's be honest mate, in the main, theres hatred because he didnae win the 10 and he is the scapegoat. No doubt he could have handled it a lot better and made mistakes but the level of hate is completely unjustified imo.

 

Yes.

When Lennon came in Rodgers had already won the league cup, had the club sitting 8 points clear at the top of the league and into the QF of the Scottish Cup.

With, by some distance, the strongest squad in the country, I'd have expected the likes of McInness or Leveine to see that through.

Lennon made it as difficult as possible.

 

You’re saying “let’s be honest”, but when people tell you honestly why they don’t like Neil Lennon you cover your ears and just tell us it’s because of his miserable performance in his final year.

I don’t know what else to tell you.

You can sit and talk about his managerial performance if you want, but like I said, that’s not what I dislike the man so I won’t waste more time on it for now.

And like I said, one day when he’s been sufficiently humbled again Neil Lennon will recognise he perhaps shouldn’t have turned on those who supported him his entire career just because they dared suggest he might not be good enough.

 

Fair enough mate, each to their own. I'll never get my head round it but.

 

I don't really care if he criticised the support, we're part of the club ourselves and we're not above criticism. I have no recollection of these criticisms btw, but even if they're unjustified, that in itself wouldn't justify the vitriol from some quarters of support. I've never got the impression that he 'hates' the support now or then, I have no idea where that impression comes from.

My recollection is that the support turned on him because he refused to resign when he started losing, leading to accusations that he wanted a payoff. Also, I remember him criticisng the players a lot, which wasn't popular because it looked like he was always shifting blame onto someone else. People wanted him to hold up his hands and leave voluntarily and his refusal to do so enraged people in the face of the 10 going down the pan.

 

Good for you?

It’s a matter of record. He publicly took digs at the supporters because they weren’t happy with his performance as manager.

Mental to me that people will sit and tell a significant section of the Celtic support the reasons that same support dislike someone, and when told the actual reasons they just deny it as made up. Wild.

His interviews reek of bitterness.

"I had nothing in common with those supporters and the way they treated Dermot and Peter as well, shocking.”

"I wouldn't say I was hurt, I was more bewildered by it and the lack of time and the lack of faith that people showed in me.”

"It's basically fans I'm referring to more than anything else.”

You’re entitled to take whatever impression suits you. It’s not really the key point here.

——
As a side note, I always thought that second quote is a great example of full-arrogant Lenny. Reading that you would think he was forced out before he had a chance to resolve it.

The people saying from the start of the protests he couldn’t turn it around that season were 100% correct. The people that showed faith in him were completely wrong, but in arrogant-Lenny’s head canon he was unfairly thrown out early and could’ve salvaged it