Plenty of Celtic fans have slammed Neil Lennon on social media after he hit out at a section of Hoops supporters for ‘giving the club a bad name’.
Celtic’s season started off strongly under the 49-year-old, but their 2020/21 campaign quickly deteriorated before Christmas and ultimately ended with no trophies.
The former Hoops manager, who resigned back in February, was talking about protests from some Celtic fans following the club’s 2-0 defeat to Ross County last November. County ended the Bhoys’ run of 35 straight domestic cup wins, with ugly scenes from a section of supporters at Parkhead after the match.
Speaking to The Times, with quotes relayed by the Daily Record, Lennon said:
“Speaking to the players the next day (after the League Cup loss) they were really disturbed and upset by that.
“Literally upset by it. That was the first cup defeat in 35/36 games. It was the end of an unbelievable cycle of success and for them to be treated that way was bewildering. They should have been lauded for it rather than abused.
“They were getting pelted with missiles. It was very sad. There was a new breed of supporters that I had nothing in common with and who belie the values of the club.
“They are the ones that are giving the club a bad name.
“It was definitely a situation like no other. You’re going for the tenth title in a row and that was an obsession for the fans, an unhealthy obsession I felt. And we were in the midst of a pandemic where nothing was normal.
“You are in the game to enjoy it. It was all about the football but this season football took second place to a lot of things.”I wouldn’t say I was hurt, I was more bewildered by it and the lack of time and the lack of faith that people showed in me.”It’s basically fans I’m referring to more than anything else.”I can walk away with 21 medals as a player and a manager, the first guy to do the treble as both a player and a manager. If that doesn’t mean a lot to other people, it means a lot to me.”
Celtic fans react
The Daily Record shared Lennon’s comments on their Twitter page on Saturday morning, and their post unsurprisingly received plenty of interaction.
These Hoops fans were quick to vent their frustrations back at the club’s former manager, with a selection of responses available to view below.
“A manager surely brings responsibility. Trying to deflect, deary me.”Credit: @kevinwalsh1964″I loved Neil Lennon as a player. The fight, desire, passion. As a manager he sat in the dugout with his feet up watching us get beat. Interviews like this, living on the success of previous managers while taking no ownership are insulting and disrespectful.”Credit: @AshleighMeikle”This is so utterly delusional and trying to support his mates on the board that it’s laughable. HE was the main problem- his outdated lack of tactics other than switching wingers was his downfall, not the fans’ fault. This is Pravda trying to be divisive via NL.”Credit: @howlinwhippet”Seriously???”Credit: @K5VVM”bewildered”Credit: @kieranwrigg”He’s at it”Credit: @ccww1967
In other news: Celtic star confirms he wants to leave Parkhead this summer, find out more here.