Celtic

Celtic: Former Parkhead star discusses ‘astounding’ Lennon decision

|
Image for Celtic: Former Parkhead star discusses ‘astounding’ Lennon decision

Former Celtic player Tommy Johnson has recently discussed one ‘astounding’ aspect of Neil Lennon’s approach this season at Parkhead.

On the latest episode of the Celtic Huddle podcast, Johnson gave his opinion about multiple issues involving the Bhoys. While he revealed that the Hoops did approach him for a recruitment role last year, he also talked about the fact that Neil Lennon doesn’t have anyone in the staff that he could talk to on a personal basis as it is something that managers often do.

Should Lennon be allowed to bring in his own staff?

Yes

Yes

No

No

As a player, Tommy Johnson was at Parkhead from 1997 to 2001. He joined the club from Aston Villa and ended up joining Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer (as per Transfermarkt) following his spell in Glasgow, via a loan stint at Everton. Lennon, meanwhile, arrived at Parkhead in January 2001 and briefly shared the dressing room with Johnson.

Johnson claimed that not having someone to talk to on a personal level is ‘astounding’ for Lennon, considering that Brendan Rodgers had his own staff.

The former Celtic player said: “I think Lenny just wanted us in to help out with the recruitment, to bring someone around him who he could talk to. Managers have got to have someone, that’s no disrespect to Gavin Strachan, who’s come in, and John Kennedy and the rest of the staff, I think you need, as a manager, someone who you can actually talk to on a personal basis as well.

“Neil hasn’t brought anybody in of his own since he’s been at the club, which is quite astounding when you look back at Brendan Rodgers and the amount of staff Brendan brought in.”

1 of 10

Which club did Brown join Celtic from?

TIF Thoughts on Johnson’s comments on Lennon…

While Johnson and Lennon have shared the dressing room in the past, the fact that the Celtic manager wanted Johnson at the club might be a reflection of the fact that he desired someone who he could connect to on a personal level.

Brendan Rodgers spent just under three years at Celtic, but he had Kolo Toure as an assistant at Parkhead and the former defender had played under him at Liverpool. So perhaps, Lennon could make do with someone like that right now.

Share this article

European Football Writer. Contributed for FootballItalia, Manchester United, Manchester Evening News, Calciomercato, GFFN and more.