Staggies stunner 10 years ago has given Lennona sense of perspective in this crisis
Neil Lennon believes he’s far better equipped now to steer Celtic out of a crisis that he was when they lost to Ross County 10 years ago.
His men go in against the Staggies today, a decade after one of the mosthumiliating days in the Hoops’ history.
Lennon was the Parkhead side’s caretaker boss when the Dingwall side beat them 2-0 in the Scottish Cup semifinal at Hampden Park.
County were a First Division side at the time, and it was the sort of day that might have ended Lennon’s managerial career before it had really got going.
Despite his success in the intervening years, the Irishman’s future is again being debated.
Looking back at the events of 2010, Lennon believes that semi-final defeat was worse than the indifferent form being shown by the current team.
Losing to the Highlanders back then meant a domestic trophy had gone.
As things stand, all the silverware in Scotland sits in the Parkhead trophy room, and is still up for grabs. Lennon said: “That was my third game as a manager, and it was really sore. “But right now, we haven’t lost anything yet.
“We’ve missed out on progressing in Europe, but we haven’t lost out on the league or the cups.
“We know the last few games have not been good enough for the standards and the demands of the club, and the supporters.
“There’s only one way you can go. “You can feel sorry for yourselves, or you galvanise yourselves – which is what we’re trying to do.
“Now, down the line from 2010, I’ve won plenty of trophies.
“I’ve won a promotion, and I’ve had a really difficult time in six months at Bolton, which is well worse than anything I’ve experienced here.
“It makes you more rounded, and gives you a sense of perspective.
“What you don’t deal with at times as a manager is black and white. You have to look at the grey areas as well. “But with fans and pundits, it’s black and white.
“I used to act like that as a manager, and I’ve learned it’s not always like that.
“Yes, it’s about winning, but you then you look at the circumstances of why you’re not winning, and look to rectify that.
“They don’t become bad players because they’ve not won a few games, and they don’t become brilliant players when they go on an unbelievable run.
“You have to keep a sense of perspective.” Lennon is digging in for a fight here. There’s no hint whatsoever of him walking away.
News that fans unfurled
a banner outside Celtic Park on Wednesday morning, calling for his sacking, must have hurt.
But that will have been softened by the vote of confidence he received from Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond in the wake of the capitulation against Sparta Prague.
Lennon does ask for a bit more respect, but he remains philosophical about the almost- constant frenzy that is life as an Old Firm manager.
Lennon went on: “Nothing shocks me. Nothing surprises you at times in football.
“I don’t expect to be cut any slack from anybody, and I don’t ask for it.
“A little bit more respect wouldn’t go amiss, but that’s on other people. That’s not on me.
“I act in a professional, dignified manner, whether we win or lose.
“I don’t expect to be given any plaudits, if and when we turn it around.
“I expect to be appreciated for doing the job, but not by people outside the club. The appreciation comes from the players and the board and my staff – that’s more than enough for me. “I’ve been in this position before. “I think the hysteria and criticism is a lot worse this time round. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s just the expectation, and the significance of the season? But I go back to perspective.
“We have lost one game in the league this year, and if we didn’t commit silly decision- making on penalties, we’d be a lot better off.
“Anyway, we are where we are. We have a lot of work to do, but it’s one that we are looking forward to, and going to enjoy.”
“I don’t need people to keep my spirits up, but I do appreciate the sentiments that have come from managers, from people in the game and from close friends.
“It’s always welcome and greatly appreciated, and they know that.
“I’ve had a lot of support from managers up here and down the road. They will go through the same thing, and they will get support from me in difficult times as well.”