Milan against Bhoys as Empire strikes out
Lenny’s legion are mauled by Rossoneri lions in the San Siro
CELTIC conquered Rome on their last trip to Italy but they returned at a time when fans are fearing they are watching the death throes of an empire.
It happens to the best of them. One day old Biggus Dickus was out of his toga and into the hot tub. The next he was washing his knick knacks in a freezing burn while hiding from the Barbarians.
This time last year Celtic had their feet up in the Europa League last 32 with a couple of games to spare. Just 12 months on they are out and the enemy is at the gates.
It’s not just invading armies that bring down empires. Often there’s a collapse from within and there will be no end of finger pointing at Parkhead if this really is the beginning of the end.
Nine of the starting line-up last night were around last term, which says as much about the drop in form as the standard of recruitment.
Losing to AC Milan in the San Siro is not a battle Celtic would have expected to win in any era, let alone during these dark ages.
The Rossoneri are top of Serie A and will have a serious shout at winning the Europa League this season. They could even afford to turn up 20 minutes after the first whistle last night.
But this was about seeing a reaction from Celtic and their embattled manager.
In fairness they got one. For a while, before it was more of the same. At times Lennon has looked like a general fighting off a revolt, with outright hostility from some civilians and murmurs of discontent in his legion.
He got the thumbs up routine from Dermot Desmond when many were calling for him to be chucked to the lions.
Last night there was a response, an incredible one in those frantic first 15 minutes.
Even the Celtic players looked stunned at their start, never mind the punters tuning in fearing the worst. Tom Rogic burying an early gift, Odsonne Edouard producing a delicious touch of class after a sublime Ryan Christie reverse ball.
It looked too good to be true. It was. It might have been Milan but it was strangely familiar.
We’ve seen it over the last couple of months - two steps forward, three steps back - total chaos at the back.
Losing 27 goals in 11 games is unbelievable self sabotage.
Vasilis Barkas should have been willing to jump in front of a bus to keep the ball out now he’s back in the side. Instead he stood and admired Hakan Calhanoglu’s free-kick. At some point the big keeper has to make a game changing save.
Celts had the Great Wall in Barcelona and Rome. In Milan they had the Greek Open Gate.
That gave Milan momentum and no one was surprised when Samu Castillejo was alone in a sea of defenders to slam a second.
The second half had some encouraging moments and more shocking goals.
Hatem Abd Elhamed looked like an iron man last year but he’s been putty this term. He’s got a few for company.
Celtic players have defended Lennon better than their goal. It’s going to be a heck of a battle on the home front for the manager and his empire to survive.