The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Lennon calling for more time after shock cup exit
Neil Lennon believes he should get more time to turn C e l t i c’s form around as a Betfred Cup defeat by Ross County sparked angry protests outside Parkhead.
Fa n s chanted for Lennon’s exit as a police helicopter circled overhead and more than a dozen police vans lined up outside the main stand.
A 2-0 second-round loss ended a 35-game winning run for Celtic in domestic cups and heightened the panic among a growing element of the Hoops support that their quest for 10 in a row is doomed unless there is a change of manager.
Celtic can win a 12 th consecutive domestic trophy when they take on Hearts in last season’s delayed Scottish Cup final on December 20 but a run of two wins in 10 matches has put Lennon under severe pressure.
It was a first cup defeat for the Hoops since Ronny Deila’s side lost to Mark Warburton’s Rangers in the semi-final of this tournament in April 2016.
The Hoops boss showed no sign of quitting after the defeat and, when asked if he would understand if the Celtic board took the decision to remove him, Lennon said: “No, I think it’s too soon for that.
“We have lost one trophy, that’s gone. Our priority is the league, it always is, every time we come into a season.
“We are out of Europe, so it’s not been great, but there’s plenty of time to turn it around. But it’s all right me saying that, we have to show it with action now.
“I think I should get more time at it but, if not, then so be it.
“Do I see myself as the man to lead the team? Of course. I believe in myself.
“I am not always going to harp on about what I have done in the past.
“We are in the present and I know the expectations
from the supporters and the board for the club.
“I am falling short of that at the minute, me and my backroom team.
“It’s OK saying we are going to turn a corner. There is no point talking about it we need to do it with our actions and soon. Otherwise the landscape could change for me very quickly.
“I hope I’m here to turn things around because that’s what I want to do as quickly as possible. But obviously the results don’t help those chances.”
There was little in the game before the opener and Celtic lacked the width to get in behind County. Ryan Christie had a shot comfortably saved after a counter-attack and Tom Rogic shot into the sidenetting after a corner either side of Celtic’s best chance for an opener.
That came after Christie had looked to have weaved
his way through the County defence before being tripped on the edge of the box by Callum Morris, who avoided a card of any c o l o u r. Ross L a i d l aw pushed away Odsonne Edouard’s free-kick.
County, who lost Charlie Lakin to injury early on,
had threatened from two long- range efforts from Harry Paton before taking the lead through a penalty.
Christopher Jullien brought down Ross Stewart as he made a desperate attempt to stop the striker getting to a low near-post cross. Stewart then sent
comeback keeper Vasilis Barkas the wrong way.
Albian Ajeti had a glorious chance to equalise inside two minutes after a Rogic flick played him clean through, but the Swiss striker hit the inside of the post and the ball rebounded to safety.
Diego Laxalt and Christie were off target from halfchances and Kristoffer Ajer had an effort saved following a se t- piece but Celtic struggled to break down a packed County rearguard and Lennon made a double switch midway through the second half.
Callum McGregor and Mohamed Elyounoussi came on for Ajeti and Nir Bitton as Celtic reverted to a back four.
Elyounoussi then headed wide from eight yards and Edouard hooked a volley over before County doubled their lead in the 84 th minute when Alex Iacovitti headed home.