This season has been a disaster for Celtic. There are no two ways to call it. Out of Europe and the League Cup in November. Shocking form that saw the team drop numerous points in January to the extent to which the Hoops now lie 15 points behind their rivals. We can all have our opinions on why this has happened, but what we can all agree on is that there were players kept at the club when they desired a move in the summer.
What has been subject of much speculation is, why did Neil Lennon not move these players on when they made their wishes known? Well it seems he did try to according to Rob McLean on last nights Go Radio Football Show. McLean said there was speculation that Lennon was keen on getting the wantaway stars out the club but the board overruled him as they wanted to retain their services for the push for ten in a row.
Should Neil Lennon be Celtic manager next season?
YES
NO
Speaking to fellow pundits ex Celt, Gary Caldwell, and ex Ger, Craig Moore, McLean said, “There’s been speculation that what he (Lennon) was alluding to was when he was talking about players trying to dig their way out of the club and get get themselves a move. He wanted to let some of them go.
“He thought that was the best thing for the club, but above him the decision was no ‘We’re keeping everybody for 10 in a row’. Could that be a reason for conflict behind the scenes?”
Gary Caldwell agreed and chipped in, “Yeah feel his pain a little bit having been a manager. I think is difficult. In those situations as a manager because ultimately you work for the football club, and you are one cog in that wheel. And there’s there’s people above you that run the football club, the finances of the football club.
“So you have to give your opinion on the football aspect of it, which I’m sure Lenny has an if that went on and then it’s very difficult for him one to make that public, because, I think certain things in football clubs and dressing rooms need to stay in there.
“And I understand the point of view supporters want to feel engaged with the club want to know what’s happening in the club but sometimes they can’t know everything. So, for Lennon to come out with it, and the way did.”
McLean interjected at this point and asked, “Could that be what he was talking about?”
Craig Moore jumped in at this point and replied, “He’s not had the control more importantly, I think that’s what he’s put out there he’s come out a couple of times this season and questioned that the desire of some players he only want players that want to be at this football club.
“He’s probably had that decision where he goes ‘Okay these players can leave’ and then the club overruling it so then as a manager. How hard is that now to try and manage a player that you know actually doesn’t want to be at your football club?”
Caldwell agreed and continued, “I agree with Neil Lennon here that you know if I played into mace that he wants to go you can see his standards dropping. There’s no point in keeping them as then, for me it’s, it’s the manager has to give the information to the board, and then it’s up to them to get the most amount of money for the football club.
“But if you have one player in the squad, who is disruptive who doesn’t want to be there in the squad then you have a real problem on your hands which is probably what we’ve seen this season”
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