Flops should be a shoo-in to get a shoeing too

THE manager is always the one who carries the can when it comes to a kicking from angry fans.

But if the man in the dugout remains then the tacky boots come out for the man who hires – and potentially fires – the man who carries the can.

More often than not, he pulls the trigger before it gets to that stage. When it gets to the point both are getting a doing, that’s when the sacrifice is made to the mob.

That’s where we are with Celtic right now. Neil Lennon has taken a pummelling and now the ire has headed upstairs towards Peter Lawwell.

In a lot of ways it’s fair enough. The men in charge, whether it’s in the boardroom or the dressing room, are the ones paid the big bucks to make sure everything is in working order.

If a business is malfunctioning, the suits should be held accountable. If the assembly line is churning out faulty goods, there’s no point in pointing the finger at the poor fella on minimum wage.

But football is no factory shop floor.

Players are treated like royalty, a lot of them with wages to match. Yet the buck seems to pass over them when the wheels come off.

Celtic drew with Livingston and it was Lennon who got the blame, despite being in the house. Lawwell copped it, even though he was in the stands.

But neither of them had a pair of Puma Kings on.

The Celtic side at the weekend has been branded as a second string. Someone will have to explain why there isn’t a single striker beyond the first team. Where’s the Mark Burchill, Gerry Creaney or Craig Beattie? The fact 13 players were in isolation after Christopher Jullien’s positive test has been used as a reasoning for hanging on against Livi.

But not one Lions player will take home more dosh than any of the men in the Hoops.

Shane Duffy’s weekly pay packet could fund the entire Livingston squad for seven days.

Guys like Tom Rogic and Diego Laxalt have played at World Cups.

Tony Ralston was drafted in but was last spotted laughing at Neymar when PSG put five past Brendan Rodgers’ team.

To think that 5-1 was described as an embarrassment. Saturday’s insipid

Too many started the season looking like they only had to turn up to get 10

display against Livi was far more of a red neck.

Too many of these players pledge loyalty to their manager yet have hung him out to dry.

Too many started the season looking like they only had to turn up to collect the 10.

Too many heard there was more money to be earned elsewhere or took the praise that’s been showered on them for seasons and threw it all back at the fans.

The men at the top who’ve blown the 10 will have sleepless nights.

Some of the players will suffer the same visitations from demons after dark.

When it comes to the inquest, it’s not just one man who should be left carrying this can.