TUNNEL VISION
Elvis: Strachan subbed Neil in final farewell for good of team so head should rule heart for Broonie call
STEVEN PRESSLEY stood 20 yards from Neil Lennon as the stunning Hampden call was made.
The captain’s number was up. Subbed without a shred of sentiment by Celtic manager Gordon Strachan from the 2007 Scottish Cup Final with the game in the balance.
What should have been a glorious farewell for Lennon in his last appearance for Celtic cut brutally short and followed by a frustrating and lonely walk up the tunnel.
It was a momentous decision. Yet in the end the right one.
Pressley and the rest of Strachan’s team went on to sink Dunfermline and lift the trophy.
And it’s why the former Celtic stopper is adamant that Lennon will do what he feels is right against Hearts to win the s i l verware on Sunday and not make any decisions over the likes of his own skipper Scott Brown based purely on loyalty and sentiment.
Lennon’s Hampden team selection is dominating fans’ talk this week.
New stars such as David Turnbull and Ismai la Soro lit up performances over the past week against Lille and Kilmarnock with old guard such as Brown and Tom Rogic sat in the stands to give the manager a big selection headache for the cup final.
Lennon has stated that loyalty and past contributions will come into his thinking as well as the present performances when he finally makes his decision on the starting XI.
Scott would be really disappointed but he would respect the decision STEVEN PRESSLEY ON CELTIC’S SCOTT BROWN
Pressley knows there are some extremely tough calls for Lennon to make.
But, as he looks back at the events of that final 13 years ago and the fallout afterwards, he believes the gaffer would never compromise Celtic’s chances.
And he reckons Lennon would always pick a team he fully believes is best for the job.
Pressley said: “The reality is that Gordon and Neil are great friends.
“If you had seen Neil’s reaction that day, he was not happy and he was disappointed. But on reflection he understood and respected Gordon’s decision because he had treated him properly throughout his reign.
“If you have built a trust with the player and shown him the loyalty then he’ll understand you have decisions to make. When you are a football manager there generally always has to be a degree of loyalty.
“I don’t think you can build relationships in management in terms of your players and creating a culture without the loyalty. It’s impossible. It’s one of the things that your players would expect from you.
“If they are going to give you their lot, they expect it back, so it’s an impossible situation not to show loyalty.
“Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest manager we have seen, showed loyalty but until it was affecting performance and outcome. Then it comes time to have a discussion.
“There comes a time when you have shown the loyalty and if the results don’t come then you need to make the appropriate decisions. That’s the reality of the job.
“If any player is intelligent enough he understands that. It’s difficult but he understands the situation. And he understands it because you have built a relationship with him where you can have that type of conversation. That would be my take.
“Neil will know he has to win this trophy. And I feel Neil is the type of character that, yes he would show loyalty but not to the point where it would affect the results.”
Surely the biggest decision of the lot is based on whether skipper Brown returns to anchor the midfield or is kept out by lively Ivorian Soro, who has been superb in the past 180 minutes.
Pressley believes the strength of the bond between boss and
captain will make it simpler. He said: “Neil has shown loyalty to Scott. He has treated him with great respect.
“So although it is a big decision I think it is a decision that can be easily made because of the fact that the relationship is there. It looks as though it’s built on trust and respect.
“Of course if Scott didn’t play he would naturally be really disappointed but he would respect the decision.
“I’m not sure that Scott will start. I think there’s a good chance Ryan Christie will come back into the equation but I’m not sure if Scott will start.” Pressley also isn’t sure what to expect from the cup holders on Sunday as they aim to extend their trophy-winning sequence in the domestic game to a dozen. Lennon’s team sparkled in the last-four encounter against Aberdeen but have st ruggled on other occasions this term to find their blistering best. Pressley said: “It could be a day where Celtic make a quick breakthrough and put on a performance which they are capable of. Their semi-final was an example of that happening.
“Or it could be what we have observed recently where it becomes a real struggle.
“That’s the big thing this year with Celtic. More than any other year recently they have found it really difficult to break down teams. Even last weekend against Kilmarnock it was a struggle and that’s what Robbie (Neilson) will be aware of.
“I’m really unsure how the game is going to go. It’s fascinating.”