The 2020/21 season will go down as the most disappointing in Celtic’s history. It was the year that immortality could have been achieved through securing the Holy Grail of ten league titles in a row. However, it has been a capitulation of epic proportions!
A number of factors have contributed to the club’s failure this season, including a lack of strategic planning in the boardroom, poor recruitment, a mishandling of the pandemic (e.g. the Dubai trip), poor first team management/coaching, as well as a demotivated playing squad.
Most alarmingly, there has been a growing discord between irate supporters and a distant board of directors. Following fan protests against the club’s hierarchy and management team towards the end of 2020, the board promised a January review of Neil Lennon’s long-term position as manager, although this is yet to be made public.
January 2021
Going into the New Year, Celtic’s faint title hopes hinged on going on a consistent winning run; starting with the all important derby on 2nd January. Despite dominating large parts of the game, Celtic lost 1-0. Immediately afterwards, Celtic embarked on the PR disaster of the trip to Dubai that later required Lennon and members of his playing and coaching squad to self isolate for two weeks. The anger he displayed in his press conference after completing his isolation period added further embarrassment to the club. After returning from what was perceived as an insensitive Jolly Bhoys outing, three successive draws followed against Hibs and Livingston (twice). Despite a 2-0 victory over Hamilton, Celtic then lost at home to St Mirren for the first time in 31 years, culminating in one win in six games at the start of 2021 (including two defeats).
Bearing in mind most supporters and pundits (including Lennon’s former team mates, Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Stiliyan Petrov) expected his sacking after the 29th November League Cup defeat at home to Ross County, the defeat to St Mirren was surely the final straw. However, Lennon has more lives than a cat! He is bullet proof! The board will not sack him and he is too deluded and stubborn to resign!
Too Little! Too Late!
Since the defeat to St Mirren, protests have continued against Lennon remaining in charge. In the weeks since however, results and performances have improved through four successive victories. Odsonne Edouard has also rediscovered his touch by netting in the last six matches.
As Celtic fans we always want the team to do well. However, part of us realises that this recent resurgence could also damage us moving forward if it is perceived as ‘moving in the right direction’. If the board was unwilling to sack Lennon when results were bad, what chance is there of sacking him when they are good?
The board must not try to kid themselves or the fans on any longer. Lennon was a decent stop gap manager at the end of the 2018/19 season following Brendan Rodgers’ sudden departure to Leicester City, but he should not have been appointed permanently. In fairness, he exceeded most people’s expectations by winning another treble in 2019/20.
Unfortunately, results and performances have been nowhere near good enough this season. Modern football has a very short memory. For example, Claudio Ranieri was sacked by Leicester a few months after their miraculous league title win in 2016. As an unwritten rule, managers at clubs like Celtic do not last when they are 18 points behind their greatest rivals (albeit with a game in hand).
The Winds of Change
The winds of change are starting to blow at Celtic Park behind the scenes with outgoing long-term Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell being replaced by Dominic McKay. Furthermore, it appears that the club will also appoint a Director of Football in the coming weeks or months. These are important steps in the club’s long-term progression.
In the short-term, the club will be aiming to maximise season ticket sales for 2021/22, but supporters will not put their money into the club if Lennon will remain in charge beyond the current campaign. He simply has to go! Celtic must make an appointment of the calibre of Martin O’Neil or Brendan Rodgers if they are to persuade fans to put their hands in their pockets as they have done previously.
Whilst it is encouraging to see an improvement in performances and results of late, the board must acknowledge that this is fact too little too late! Lennon should have gone months ago. If he stays until the end of this season so that the right manager can be shortlisted and appointed in time for the next campaign then so be it, but they will not fool us nor should they try to fool themselves into believing that he is the man to lead Celtic in the long term.
Although we were promised a January review towards the end of last year, it is now Valentine’s Day and there is no sign of the love affair between Lennon and the board coming to an end! What impact will Celtic’s recent run of improved results and performances have on the managerial situation at the club next season?
By Mark Nicholas
themarkjnblog/football 
Well said
I don’t want to stick the knife into NL he’s been a great Celtic man but our squad and set up is far superior to our oppositions and we are miles behind, I’d be the same as him And I’d want to turn it around for Celtic and get back to winning ways but look at Gerrard over there and don’t forget Macallister both proper football men who have played at a high standard for years and we have who to help him? JK ? And Strachans boy not even Strachan? I think NL has been unfortunate to have to work under Lawell who thinks he’s all the back up Lennon needs .
Look no further than that man when your blaming folk
NL only did what any Celtic man would’ve done he took the job and tried his best
It’s Lawell and the board that offered him it
And it’s Lawell and the board that could’ve stopped it
Agree with Paul’s comment that Gerard and Mcallister, especially Gerard have a wealth of experience, domestic and European, but not just qualifying, actually going all the way. Gerard will move on to higher things but perhaps the manager that our board has earmarked for Celtic isn’t available yet. Just hope he’s top notch and not B division and someone who will ‘do his best’.
Eddy the Eagle did his best.