Caldwell: Celtic woes run deeper than boss

Former Celtic captain Gary Caldwell believes there are bigger issues at the club than the position of Neil Lennon and that any decision to sack him should be based on more than just results.

The pressure on the Celtic boss intensified after the midweek 2-2 draw with Livingston left the Parkhead side without a win in four matches and 20 points behind Rangers in the title race.

But Caldwell, pictured inset, who won the title as Lennon’s team-mate in 2006-07, believes the problems at Parkhead go "deeper" than the under-fire manager, and that the club's "obsession" with 10-in-a-row has been a factor in their failings.

"He's under a lot of pressure, as any manager would be if you're not winning football matches," Caldwell told Sky Sports News. "He understands at Celtic more than anyone you have to win games as the manager of the club, but I think it runs a little bit deeper than Neil Lennon.

"Has recruitment been right? Is the style of play right? Is everyone behind the scenes pulling in the same direction? For me there's been an obsession with 10-in-a-row that has forced Celtic as a football club to forget the processes that allowed them to win leagues and cups and that's what's cost them this season. "As a manager of any football club, but Celtic even more so, you're judged by results and you have to win games. But as a football club you have to look at the bigger picture and decide whether the manager is aligning to what the club's values and beliefs are, where the club is going, and if Celtic believe Neil Lennon is that man then they will continue to go with him.

"If they don't believe that then that's why it should change. I don't think you should change manager purely based on results on the pitch."