Celtic must start search for new Lennon

With the 2006/07 season fast approaching, Celtic fans everywhere will be wondering how their team will fare in the Champions League against the likes of Barcelona and AC Milan. However, no doubt a much sterner test awaits the team next season, in the form of preparing for the departure of Parkhead legend, Neil Lennon. The Captain fantastic has signed a one-year contract extension, however, like Roy Keane before him, he will have to retire at the end of next season.

The team should savour their last season playing under Lennon, as a player and captain of his calibre comes along only once in a generation. Like Keane, he has the perfect attributes of a quality captain, wearing his heart on his sleeve and leading by example. His contribution to the club will live long in the memory of all Celtic fans and his retirement will signal the end of an era, begun by O'Neill and carried on by Lennon, in which the Parkhead team reached the Uefa Cup Final in 2003 and won four league titles.

It is now, while Celtic still hold the service of Lennon that their search for a long-term replacement should begin. Without a passionate and dedicated captain who loves to wear the armband and represent the fans on the pitch, the enthusiasm and desire for success which Celtic fans around the world are renowned for, will be lost.

I am not suggesting that the spirit of the club is wholly reliant on the passion and drive shown by the club captain on the pitch. However, it is the captain who bridges the gap between the fans in the stand and the players on the pitch, and therefore Lennon's successor should carry similar qualities to that of Lennon which make him a respected leader and firm fans favourite.

(c) P Foley June 2006


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Well said. There are few leaders at the club at the moment, Lennon will be missed.

 

one person to replace him gravesen

 

* Lennon, he's *. They should have never offered him another contract, thats why Petrov's leaving.

 

We dont need players that negative, sure he plays with desire, but he is NOT a verygood footballer, clean up man at best, but has little constructive guile!

 

He was all of those things mentined in the 1st post, the passion is undoubtabley still there but unfortuneatley the drive is now pedestrian at best, thats why we need a replacement now.

 

totally aggree with guitarbhoy90 and with regards to the 1st post we do need a leader/captain but we were in the same postion last year and we opted for Lennon and in the process and snubbed our best player petrov who i think has every right to leave the club due to what he has seen the last season(over the hill people lke Keane/Dublin joining the club) and Lennon being made captain...the guys probably thinking has this club got any real ambition?? or is it just a fooking resting home for player who can't hack it anymore?....and as for Lennon being "captain" you're having a laugh...he never gets behind his team to get them going and goes all quiet...goes missing during big games and lets the scum wind him up in the old firm games....does anyone really think this is what it takes to be a celtic captain??

 

Everything you said is true, a captain gets behind players and encourages them not Lennon he justs moans at his own players, even when he makes a bad pass. I think one of the main factors of Petrov wanting to leave is that he was overlooked for the captaincy for Lennon. I'll admit im not the biggest fan of Lennon, he'll never win a match for Celtic nor do i think he's important to the team but GS obviously thinks he is so as long as he wears the hoops we should still back him.

 

i like lennon, hes a real scrapper and a great captain, but his time is up. I can only imagine how slow he is gna b next season + yeh i heard the reason stan handed in his transfer request was cos he wasnt gettin the captaincy next season and bascially threw a cream puff!

 

wondered how long it would take before a comment like this ,You cant start a thread with Lennons name in it without something like this being written ...

 

* people and there opinions!
Bring back censorship

 

Even you with your opinions on lennon must think its becoming a bit tedious to say the least ........its old news ! move on !

 

Lennon lovefest threads are equally as tedious? yes

 

£20K a week doesn't make much sense for a squad player.

I'm not sure Brown is good enough though.

 

Think the Majority of people will say Lennon has had his day at CP but he has signed a new 1 yr deal and we need to get behind whoever plays in the Hoops ...Its not a case of Lennon Lovefests its a case of the same player getting called by individuals ...Its been done he is here like i say for another year get on with it !!...I agree with the majority but will NEVER stoop that low to call a player * !! as long as he wears the Hoops !!