From the moment that Neil Lennon took over as Celtic boss in March last year, things began to change in Scottish football. He has been in the spotlight from day one thanks to his controversial management style and his relationship with the fans.
Whilst nobody can truly believe that he is a man without principles he can at times lack respect on the touchline and there are people who believe that he doesn’t deserve the title of Celtic Manager. They would do well to remember that he has a playing career which boasts such accolades as:
League Cup Winner x2
Scottish League Cup Winner x2
Scottish Cup x3
UEFA Cup runner-up
Can Neil Lennon control his temper and deliver such great success to his managerial career too? He’s is still in with a small chance of winning the Scottish League this year – however it is out of Celtics hands – Rangers are very much in the driving seat.
So what exactly has the Celtic boss done to upset so many people I hear you ask? Well, Celtic have had a long running battle with the Scottish Football Association and it looks set to continue. In November last year, Lennon was issued with an automatic 2-match ban for being sent to the stands during Celtics loss to Hearts, an appeal led to a further 4-game ban. Further uproar continued during the Scottish Cup Old Firm clash in March. After the final whistle Rangers assistant Ally McCoist and the Celtic boss shook hands. But then Lennon appeared to act angrily over something said by McCoist. He seemed to point to McCoist accusing him of something, they then had to be both ushered away to help cool the situation. The clash came after a bitterly-contested derby which included 3 red cards. It overshadowed the victory by Lennon’s men.
Lennon, 39 is one of very few to be so open about his struggle with depression back in 2000. Since then he has been on the recieving end of many assaults most notably from a Hearts supporter on Wednesday night during their match against Hearts which, they won 0-3. Extraordinarily during the game! The first major attack on Lennon came in September 2008 when he was victim to an assault in the West End of Glasgow. Other incidents have happened since most notably in January this year the Royal Mail intercepted packages containing bullets forwarded to Lennon’s address. Other instances have also occurred in March this year yet another package was found addressed to him – is it a case of Lennon bringing this upon himself ? That’s for you to decide.
Its clear to see all these instances are sick acts and I am not for one minute condoning these sorts of deeds and they are completely irresponsible. But and there is a but, Neil Lennon needs to sort out his temper and arrogance and arguably should show more respect towards officials. Clearly Lennon needs to take responsibility; he is damaging the “beautiful game” thus harming the reputation of Scottish football.
Ally McCoist will take over from Walter Smith at the helm at Rangers but I somehow don’t see the feisty encounters being any different in the near future in the old firm, or in any other fixture in Celtic colours – that’s unless there is a change in manager at The Hoops. So, Neil Lennon sort it out.
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What a load of cobblers. Big Alex has attitude, controversal etc. how many bombs, bullets, attacks etc has he been subjected to. You my friend are brain washed along with the masses. If you are now attacked because what you have just wrote then we can put it down to your controversal piece above, you brought it on yourself…come on Jack sort it out!!!
Let me get this straight. Because he has depression, Neil Lennonn is responsible for damaging the “beautiful game” that is Scottish football, not the people who have abusing, threating, and attacking him since he signed for Celtic as a player.
And, if Neil Lennonon showed respect to referees who lied to him and to openly biased officials in the SFA, everything would be hunky dory for the beautiful game.
Let me ask you something ? Why has Paddy McCourt had death threats made to him and bullets sent to him in the post, when he’s hardly said boo to anyone in all the time he’s been at Celtic ?
All Neil Lennon has done over the last few years is expose the rabid, sectarian cesspool that is Scottish football. He may have stirred-up that cesspool, by legitimately challenging corruption, but the cesspool has always been there.
What did the Lawyer and the politician do to deserve their parcel bombs? and the two Celtic players who were sent bullets in the post?
…Aberdeen manager Crag Brown had fist fight with an opposition chairman, no demonisation for him, i can accept Lennon isnt liked by some but to imply he deserves this is sympathising with those who attacked him and snt the bombs
…no the only link between Lennon and the others is a connection with Celtic
I’m sorry, but how anyone can suggest a person is bringing death threats upon themselves for managing a football club, regardless of how they do it, is beyond me?!?!
This article could have been much shorter if you told the truth:
“So what exactly has the Celtic boss done to upset so many people I hear you ask?”
Answer: He was unfortunate enough to be a Catholic from Northern Ireland who had the audacity to show passion for Celtic.
Also, I’d change the word “people” in your question to “bigots”
Oh, and if your wondering what keeps stoking the fires, it’s morons like yourself and the poor excuse for journalists in Scotland writing nonsense articles like this to try to justify the bigots reasons for sending him death threats that are continuing to fuel this.
THERE’S ONLY ONE NEIL LENNON!! HAIL! HAIL!
“But and there is a but, Neil Lennon needs to sort out his temper and arrogance and arguably should show more respect towards officials”
Really? Then why doesn’t Mourinho need to sort out his arrogance? Why doesn’t Fergie need to sort out his temper? Why don’t both need to show more respect towards officials? Its because those are not traits that successful football managers need to have, and to some such as the named they help them to achieve a psychological edge that the press seem to adore. It’s lazy journalism and frankly dispicable to try and point the finger of blame at someone who has a mountain of evidence showing he’s the victim here. Articles like this give those that perpetrate these evil deeds self-justification that is totally unwarranted as nothing Neil Lennon has done in the course of his job is anything that other managers haven’t done previously. Hell ‘uncle’ Craig Brown has twice punched people at pitchside without a campaign started against him. It’s bigotry, plain and simple, so do me a favour and just call it what it is so we can move on to addressing the problem.
Sorry Jack but to in any way try and partially suggest that any of Lennons actions merit the treatment he has been given is nothing short of preposterous.
I would be interested to know how you think another arrogant, official challenging and generally controversial manager in Jose Mourinho would fare if in charge of Celtic.
If you think he would attract the same attention fair enough.
However, if you think he would not be subject to the same level of abuse then also explain what the difference is in the two characters that would make him less a target?
I look forward to your response.
Let me see if Ive got this straight? Because he has depression, Neil Lennon is responsible for damaging the beautiful game that is Scottish football- not the people who have been abusing, threatening, and attacking him since he signed as a player for Celtic.
And, if Neil Lennon would just show some respect to the referees who lied to him and to the openly biased officals at the SFA, then everything would be hunky dory for the beautiful game in Scotland.
Let me ask you something ? Why Has Paddy McCourt recieved death threats and bullets through the post when he’s hardly said boo to anyone in all the time he has played for Celtic ?
All Neil Lennon has done is expose the rabid, sectarian cesspit that is Scottish football. He may have stirred-up that cesspit, by legitimately challenging corruption, but the cesspit was already there.
What a load of rubbish!!!!where is Lennon different from the other managers? Smith,Brown,Ferguson,Mourhino,All have been sent to the stands,all have passed comment on the standards of referees,Brown,grabbed the motherwell director by the neck,only a few weeks ago and he is 70 years old!Smith eeffed and blinded on camera during a tv interview,and nearly came to blows with a manager of an opposing team,can they not curb their tempers?once you start saying”we all know it shouldn´t happen , BUT”then we know that you are part of the problem,Face the facts and dig out the filth in our society,no BUT this and BUT that,STOP IT NOW!!!!
mr carrington if you’d taken the time to take your blinkers off,and write your article without prejudice or bias you would see that Neil Lennon is no different from any other manager in the beautiful game in scotland where every celtic player gets seven kinds of s**T kicked out of them, for trying to play “the beautiful game”. He defends his players, he loves his club, and stands with the fans of this famous club, would you be saying the same dribble if it was Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger,or worse still Walter Smith!! then take a look at a few youtube videos of mr smiths antics mr Carrington,and indeed all the afore mentioned managers you will see that Neil Lennon is NO different, “save one” HE IS AN IRISH CATHOLIC who is passionate about celtic and because of this fact! he is both hated and reviled the length and breath of scotland by people who should be living in the dark ages, you included, who should suggest that being attacked in the street,sent bullets and bombs in the post,be subjected to hatred and abuse in every away stadium, have his partner be abused in the street, people arrested outside his training ground with immation guns,and then mr carrington, then be attacked at swinecastle on the touchline. and to suggest that because of a few words, he more or less bought this on himself !!!. you sicken me mr carrington, if it was walter smith or alex ferguson i dont think your artical would be starting with the same type of headline,because no other manager in the world would have to put up with the religous and secterian bile that Neil lennon hes to take in this so called beautiful game.
Biggest load of nonsense I have ever read. There is no “but” unless you are bigoted Rangers supporter or clueless about sectarian problems in Scotland.
Only in Scotland could a victim be blamed for receiving death threats. Does Ferguson or Mourinho or even Wenger get the same treatment? Are they any more respectful of referees than Lennon? I think we all know the answer to that.
It’s quite simple – the knuckle-draggers don’t like the “uppity Catholic” who doesn’t take the abuse without giving some back. He’s a Catholic with a wee chip on his shoulder and a wee bit of gallus and that is not acceptable to them. Well tough, Lennon will never change and you lot will have to drag yourself into the 21st century (if you can).
at last some who sees it as it is of course hes brought alot on him self not saying its right hats happening but if you act like a ned theres a
You can not be serious! So would you blame a black man who suffers racism because he speaks his mind a demands equal treatment? Or a rape victim because they dress provocatively?
Neil Lennon is a victim PERIOD! This “He brings it on himself” attitude is pure intolerance and shows how twisted Scottish society and especially their journalists are.
You say you do not condone such sick acts, But and there is a but, You then try to say someone with a temper and arogance needs to control themselves. Well then I guess half of Scotland can look forward to the same treatment that Neil is recieving Eh?
at last some who sees it as it is of course hes brought alot on him self not saying its right whats happening but if you act like a ned theres always a bigger ned waiting for you mean even the pic your showing says it all just a animal
typical report from i guess an anit-celtic man..really you lot need to wake up and see how deluded you are! i would love to sit in a room with you so called reporters and see if you have an answer for the facts i would produce because i dont think your pro-discrimination of irish catholics and celtic could overcome them.
So because Neil Lennon reacted to extream provocation from the spineless coward mccoist (u can clearly see he says somthing to Lennon then pushes him but hes to spinless to stand up to it unlike Neil who admited what he did and appologised to Celtic for doing it) he is to blame for all the sectarian vile abuse he, hs girlfriend and their young son have had to endure from the lowest form of scum.
get a grip of yourself, clowns like you making excuses for the scumbags sending these bombs and bullets are part of the problem, i can believe your site has allowed such a onesided article.
Neil was not willing to accept decisions even the rangers mad media could not explain, why should someone sticking up for their club be subjest to the hate campaign Neil has had to endure. hes done NOTHING the mourino, fergusson, smith, wenger and co all do themselves.
Neil Lennon is NOT doing ANYTHING wrong or ANYTHING to harm the game in Scotland, the clowns who attack him and the clowns in the media that continually suggest its his own fault on the other hand are
So Neil Lennon has had a touchline ban and reacted to being provoked by the Rangers manager and in return he has gotten:
Death threats
Bombs sent to him
Bullets sent to him
People coming up to the training ground with guns
Assualted in the street
Assaulted during a match
These are all down to one thing – sectarianism in Scotland. And you say Lennon sort it out??
Has Alex Ferguson had touchline bans? Has Alex Ferguson had spats with other managers? Read your article again and hang your head in shame. Another sectarian apologist. Join he queue. It’s a long one in Scotland mind. Won’t be back on the site if that is the view of another wannabe journalist.
Seldom read such nonsense, you are blaming the victim for acts of vile sectarian intimidation.
You do realise Neil Lennon has been physically attacked and both bombs and bullets sent to him ? And you think that’s because, why he has a “temper”.
Mr, Carrington,
I see that you are a member of the Scottish media ”Aye, BUT” brigade. It’s bad BUT he has only himself . . .blah, blah, blah ”
If a person is involved in a car crash they are told by their insurance company not to admit liability as they will be responsible. This is now starting to happen with the N. Lennon situation; the media, whether it be radio, tv or second-rate reporters in the tabloids realize that they are responsible for the demonisation of him and that they must accept more than their fair share of the blame for the shame that is this backward little out-post of bigotry.
All managers, including those who have criticed him, carry on week in and week out with the same antics but nothing is said.
Also, you didn’t mention that, in the Rangers game to which you referred, all the seven yellow and three reds were to Rangers players, all of whom escaped meaningful punishment. Your Scottish football authorities and media are a laughing stock throughout the rest of the thinking world and the sectarian hordes of Ibrox are like the 4th Reich. Bring Celtic to England and leave Rangers to the bunch of bigots that they deserve.
what will be the response of english punters to weekly pro ira songs in their stadiums rather than one off euro games – from the pan into the fire, guaranteed.
It is very unfortunate that so many human violations went beyond that of normal sports activity. No person should endure any of the personal crap that was directed at Neil Lennon but saying that, Lennon himself, must stand up and be counted. He was put there by the Celtic board to be a cheerleader and a person to appease the Celtic support. Sadly, he has shown just too much immaturity on the sidelines and in his statements to the media. He has contributed immensely to a lot of the problems in Scottish football ths season. We do need a more seasoned manager with more maturity and less cheerleading skills.
you are absolutely correct but you will take pelters for expressing what every celtic supporter is thinking but will not admit in public.
@trueblue No one is a bigger Ned than you bird-brain. So by your fu*ked up logic, Neil got real parcel bombs, bullets & numerous physical attacks because another bigoted low I.Q’d scumbag like you from your background took exception to neil jumping around, questioning corrupt match officials & kicking drinks bottles & having red hair. No, you knuckledraggers hate him because he’s a northern irish catholic who is passionate about the game & wont take the shite from corrupt SPL officials & the Laptop Loyal who lick Walters a**hole . Typical is the media agenda to show every ‘photo’ of neil lennon when he is “losing it” therefore looking ‘out of control’ to the slavering dumb rangers fans yet every photo of Walter is straight out of a Panini football album. McCoist was clever in that he made a comment in Neil’s ear knowing that Lennon would react. Therefore no backpage headlines about 3 red cards + 7 yellow for scotlands shame. It is FOOTBALL!! No one deserves to live way he’s been forced to live & yet you bigots STILL demonize him. disgusting
i think you are quite accurate – ally is clever,leaving the inference that neil is not – when it comes to the psychological warfare of opposing managers. which is precisely why he wont make the grade.
he was getting hoofed until the neerday game gave him a lifeline.
he will be be gone soon, the board will ask him privately to resign. then have a public announcement that he is walking away for the benefit of the club.