Or it might not be.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Events are moving at such pace behind the scenes at Celtic Park that its difficult to keep up with them .<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If you think supporters could reasonably be accused of panty wetting at the current turmoil., spare a thought for the poor sod who has to dry out the seats and carpets in the boardroom after the latest panic stricken meetings.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As the team lurches from crisis to crisis on the field, the board have been shaken out of an almost decade long stupor and suddenly have to earn their shillings, and they’re not proving to be value for money.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As per his wont when things go wrong, Dermot Desmond opened his Book of Irish Managers and got Roy Keane and Martin O’Neill out of retirement to try to stop the rot, at least until the end of the season, and having secured their assent, then decided he would tell long time servant Neil Lennon that it was time for him to go.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
However, a horrified Peter Lawwell isn’t ready to give up the managers job yet, or the Director of Football post, which he de facto holds in what seems like perpetuity, and so with any decision by the board having to be unanimous, he vetoed the idea of Keane, as the outspoken former player would want little concessions, such as Lawwell keeping his fucking nose out or getting it spread out.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Keane didn’t actually say that, but you get the feeling he thinks along those lines.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, Lennon kept his job for the Ross County game, as the board decided to support him as they couldn’t agree on anyone else.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not publicly, of course, not one of them had the balls to come out and support him publicly, they hing Lennon out to tell us that he;d had a phone call and the board still thought he was the man for the job, meaning they wouldn’t have to face any difficult questions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One can certainly argue a section of the support have treated Lennon disgracefully, but for the board to use him as a human shield is unforgivable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We all know what happened against County, and we’ll come to the players and the reasons for their attitudes shortly, and so in the wake of yet another piss poor performance and result,\u00a0 Lawwell decided he wanted change, but couldn’t think of anyone to replace Lennon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Except, of course, the guy he’s been grooming for the job since his playing career ended.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John Kennedy was set to take over as interim manager, right up until the moment the votes were counted up after the meeting to discuss it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Apparently, they all said Aye, except for the one sent in postally from Barbados, which said “Go fuck Yourself<\/em> ” , which hints that at least one member had his doubts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, Lawwell blocks Desmond from getting his man, and Desmond blocks Lawwell from getting his.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That suggests a compromise candidate should be put forward, but no one available fits the bill, so we’re left with Neil Lennon, who battles on without the support of either Lawwell or Desmond, and with the players and coaching staff moving further away from him with each passing moment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n With the mythical ten in a row at stake, the supporters have also turned on Lennon, who right now must feel a little bit lonely and quite possibly a bit miffed at how things have turned out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His biggest failing this season, in my eyes, has been to trust players who don’t want to be there.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And therein lies the solution.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Each and every one of the loannees must be sent back whence they came in January.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yes, even Laxalt. As good as he is, and he is good, the defence, already fragile, has collapsed since he arrived. Every game is a handicap event.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Elyannoussi -forget it. the mentality is all wrong.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Duffy-the heart is willing, and for him its the exact opposite of Elyannoussi. He’s trying too hard. That wont change unless he calms down, and thats not his nature or his style.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Right player, wrong year.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then there’s the core problem, the regulars, the MacGregors, the Christies, the Rogics and the French contingent.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They don’t want to be here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That was known twelve months ago.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The two Scots have seen the love and care shown to Keiran Tierney and his bank balance, and crucially, so have their families, and they want some of that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There will be others under similar pressure, long term injuries, lack of care and attention from the club is a frequent issue at Celtic, and one wonders how long it will be before even James Forrest has his head turned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Turnbull, Soro, Klimala and Ajeti were all bought to replace these guys, and somewhere down the line, probably due to Covid, the regeneration stalled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That meant we were stuck with not only the players who no longer had the heart for the club, but also their replacements.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, in fact, the board, now accused of a lack of forward planning, had actually planned for the season under normal circumstances, but its all gone a bit off track.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We have a group of players. selected for their experience and ability, not performing simply because they are marking time, and a group behind them disgruntled because they aren’t getting what they promised.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Which, of course, means there is an easy solution, but one that requires courage.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Well, at the moment there’s nothing, so there’s nothing to lose.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Play players who want to play, in positions they want to play in.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n That alone will bring back at least some will for the fight.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Those who don’t want to be here can go, and that should change the work day atmosphere at Lennoxtown.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It’s not too late yet, but if the rot continues to bed in, it won’t be long before it is.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n footnote;<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you are curious about the relationship between Lawwell and Desmond, and how it affects the club, there’s an excellent article on here, “When Hindsight Doesn’t Have 2020 Vision “, thats worth another look, certainly in the context of recent events.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Or it might not be. 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