As soon as I read the quote, I thought “That’s a bit of an odd statement“. Celtic Chairman, Ian Bankier, addressed the fans and The London Stock Exchange an update to the clubs finances and the fan unrest over the manager’s position at the club.
The one line that struck me the most was “I must state clearly that all decisions we take will be taken calmly and rationally”. Rewind almost two years ago to 25th May 2019. Celtic had just sealed the Treble Treble, the champagne corks had just hit the ground when Lennon revealed, “Peter (Lawwell) and Mr Desmond and a few members of the board came in afterwards, in the shower area.
“We had a five minute chat and they said they wanted to offer me the job – it’s just a privilege.”
“All decisions we take will be taken calmly and rationally”. Just saying it now makes a mockery of the whole press release. A five minute chat was all the attention the Celtic board paid to the search of a new manager. No applications sought. No interviews held. Nothing. A scandalous way to conduct business from a professional football club.
“All decisions we take will be taken calmly and rationally”. They (the board) have had ample time to make a decision on the Celtic managers position. But they have said nothing. In fact, their silence on the matter speaks volumes considering they promised a review in January. It is now 15th February.
As the statement was released on Twitter, Celtic fans reacted and it is fair to say there was universal disdain and acceptance that the board have never been so out of touch with the fans as they are now:
https://twitter.com/Tim_Poster/status/1361242173581234177
Absolutely abysmal. Reeking with contempt. An embarrassement to still be "reviewing" the manager's position when it's been clear for months what has to be done. Denial of reality coupled with a two finger salute to the supporters. Shameful.https://t.co/keaW34NiJG
— TheCelticBlog (@CelticBlog2018) February 15, 2021
Congratulations in the space of 688 words you have managed to say nothing, an art in itself. HH
— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) February 15, 2021
This is more like a political party statement . It’s lots of words that actually say nothing .What has happened to u ? You’ve completely lost the connection with normal fans. Absolute WAFFLE!!!
— billy castro (@billyca36549404) February 15, 2021
After reading that waffle from the "Chairman" its made my decision very, very straightforward.
If Lennon is still in position when my season ticket renewal is delivered it will go straight in the bin. Held for 20+ years but this is what its came to.
Over to you @CelticFC
— Devils Advocate (@Devi1sAdv0cate) February 15, 2021
“We will not make hasty decisions that we might regret.”
By not sacking Lennon in October, you made a decision that has pretty much destroyed our title defence. It’s now February and you still haven’t sacked him!
That is gross negligence by the board!— bogbhoy (@Bogbhoy) February 15, 2021
https://twitter.com/PrinceOfLurg/status/1361253097780236290
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