LENNON LEFT ON THE BRINK
Celtic hit new low as defeat sparks fan fury
escort from the stadium. The club, who remained tight-lipped on Lennon’ s fate, issued a strongly worded statement attacking those supporters responsible for the ugly scenes.
At the forefront of calls to relax Covid-19 restrictions for football, their statement read: ‘Everyone at the club is hugely disappointed by this afternoon’s result, one which has ended our phenomenal run of 35 consecutive cup victories.
‘While we sincerely share the huge disappointment of all Celtic supporters, there can be no excuse for some of the violent scenes at Celtic Park this evening. The club will be investigating these events fully.
‘For players and a management team, who have given so much in recent years and have delivered 11 consecutive trophies, to require an escort from Celtic Park while being targeted with missiles, is simply unacceptable.
‘While we understand that only a small number of people were involved in this behaviour, some of the actions this evening, which have obviously left our own players shaken, can not be condoned in any way.’
Police said two of their officers had been injured during the protests.
Superintendent Stevie Dolan of the Greater Glasgow Division said: ‘ Around 4.30pm on Sunday, November 29, a large number of fans started to gather outside Celtic Park to protest.
‘An appropriate policing response was carried out and the group has now dispersed. No arrests have been made, however two officers sustained minor injuries as a result of the actions of the gathered group. We strongly condemn these actions and remind fans that enforcement options remain at our disposal.
‘ The Scottish Government regulations are clear that protests are prohibited in areas under level four restrictions and we would urge people to find alternative ways to protest to prevent the spread of coronavirus.’
As fans chanted for his dismissal outside, Lennon claimed that he could still turn around a dismal run of two wins in ten games, and insisted it was too soon for talk of him getting the sack.
Fighting a losing battle for his job after another lacklustre display, however, t he Celtic manager said: ‘ I’m not going to answer any hypothetical questions. But I think it’s too soon for that.
‘We’ ve lost one trophy, that’s gone. Our priority, as we know, is the league.
‘It always is every time we go into a new season.
‘We are out of Europe and it’s not been great but there is plenty of time to turn it around.
‘ But i t’s alright me saying that. We have to show it with action now. And I think I should get more time at it but, if not, then so be it.’ Granted time to turn things around in the belief that home games with Ross County, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock could spark a recovery, Lennon could even be sacked today after making it clear he won’t resign. Due a year’s
salary as a pay-off if he goes, he discussed his situation with major shareholder Dermot Desmond and chief executive Peter Lawwell last Friday. Eleven points behind Rangers in the league, Parkhead powerbrokers are short of viable alternatives to take over the reins, but may now feel they have to make a change to keep any hope of ten in a row alive.
Facing the music after goals by Ross Stewart and Alex Iocavitti sent his team crashing out of the Betfred Cup, Lennon said: ‘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 okay 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.’
Asked if he expected the board to bow to pressure to make a change, he shrugged: ‘ I can’t answer that.
‘But I spoke to Dermot and Peter on Friday and we want to find solutions to the problems we are having.
‘On the evidence of today, we are still having those problems.
‘I can’t say what decisions the board may or may not make.
‘I know it isn’t good enough at the minute and I am not going to sit here like a happy clapper and say: “Everything is positive, we can turn things around”.
‘We know we need to work hard to do that.
‘We had a really good meeting (with the players) on Saturday. It was powerful and a lot of good stuff came out of it. There was a good ambience and atmosphere coming into the game but we just aren’t making it happen at the moment.’
Despite their awful form, Celtic could still extend their run of consecutive trophies to 12 if they win the delayed Scottish Cup final against Hearts on December 20.
Insisting he deserves a chance to keep going and try to turn things around, despite fans chanting “Lennon, Lennon, get to f***” outside, the Northern Irishman acknowledged there might now be nothing he can do to recover the confidence of fans.
‘What can I say? That’s their opinion and it’s been rumbling for a while,’ he said.
‘It doesn’t matter what I say or what bravado I put on because it won’t wash. I have to turn it round with results.’