With Neil Lennon coming under fire for the way in which his side meekly surrendered advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership, his former boss was quick to come to his defence.
Martin O’Neill, who is no stranger to a proper title fight, has backed his former captain to shrug off the criticism and lead his side to 10-in-a-row believing that Celtic are still the team to beat in Scotland.
An interview with The Scottish Sun revealed O’Neill’s thoughts on the defeat and that it is too early to panic with just one round of fixtures played:
“People would probably expect me to stick up for Neil, but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t believe it. For one thing, this season is still in its infancy.
“Secondly, he won a Treble last season and that wasn’t too bad, was it? There is a rush to judgement at times, which I understand. If you lose a big game, like to Rangers, then judgements are made.
“People talk about systems and formations, back fours and back threes. So you are open to criticism and that’s just the way it is. There’s not a lot anyone, least of all Lennon, can do about that.
“But what I would say is that it’s a long season.
“When Rodgers left someone had to go in and keep it going, and I don’t believe there was anyone else who could have done that other than Lennon.
“I think he’ll be able to deal with any criticism that’s coming his way, even though it stings.
“But overall it’s part of the territory. He has been able to deal with those things in the past, and I believe he’ll be able to deal with this now.
“Do I think Celtic will win the league? At their strongest, they are still better than Rangers, so I believe they will do it.”
Of course O’Neill is correct, Lennon has enough credit in the bank to not be under too much pressure, it should also be remembered that Celtic will be just one point behind Rangers if the game in hand against serial whipping boys Aberdeen is won.
Will Celtic still win 10IAR?
Yes
No
The Hoops haven’t been in great form domestically, plagued by inconsistency that has seen one sided hammerings followed by narrow escapes, however, the gap at the top remains close and new players will need time to bed in.
Lennon has been backed by the board this summer and the players that he has added have not become poor ones overnight, if there is one man capable of overcoming the challenge it is the gaffer, but he has to act quickly.