I've lived outside of the goldfish bowl for many years.
Here is further context:
I have many friends who are St Mirren fans Aberdeen fans and some Rangers fans none of them have a sectarian bone in their bodies. For whatever reason they disliked Lennon based on his character not his religion. They didn't like the way he rubbed noses in it when Celtic were thumping them also other players generally ignored the abuse but Lennon always reacted making him a bigger target.
He gave as good as he got whilst a player and also as a manager. You can be stoic and dignified in front of a camera and a microphone but that doesn't happen on a football pitch or on the touchline.
My motivation to post was the attack out of context on Stevie and some using his words out of context to shape there own arguments.
Stevies point that he did not condone the behaviour of the fans throwing coins nor do I. Also within the context of my last post some people simply don't like Neil Lennon because of his behaviour not because of any other reason. The same way that some Celtic fans simply don't like loudmouthed Chris Boyd or loudmouthed Robbie Savage or loudmouthed Adrian Durham because of their behaviour.
Why would Lennon be held in a different category than the collection of loudmouths mentioned previously if the person doesn't have any political or Religious baggage attached? which most fans don't have. Not everyone who dislikes Lennon is a bigot, I've worked before with guys who were openly bigoted Rangers fans I didn't like their perspective but I had to work with them and they were good workers who i could rely on even though we had very different opinions. My boss on the other hand was a season ticket holder at Celtic park chapel every Sunday but the guy was a dishonest prick. He was of similar background to me but I respect people more or less based on how they act not what there percieved believes are.
If Neil Lennon has in the past gone out of his way to behave just like the aforementioned Antagonizing pricks to others then what? I'm not allowed to bring this up? Neil Lennon isn't perfect and he'll be the first to admit he should have handled things better at times.
Stevies point was If you goad people (football fans) or react and then something happens then arent you asking for some kind of reaction by goading them in the first place?
We are focused on the fact Lennon was probably getting it tight from the hearts fans he responded and did something to provoke supporters he already has a history with and something happened.
He did the same at mordor and reacted. Thankfully there wasn't a similar reaction. I'm sticking to the evidence presented we can moralize that it's not morally right to throw insults at people or assault them and scream about the injustice of it all. Sorry but that's life and most of the time its not fair get on with it. If Lennon wishes to make a crusade against it then so be it, it is his right to do so and ride the shitstorm that it will attract. However most good people do not want to attract this kind of attention.
But my support of Stevie was clear don't react and goad back. Lennon got away with it at ibrox but not so lucky at Tyncastle because there will always be some arsehole who takes it too far.
By being factual and rational and explaining it from the perspective that not everyone who is Neil Lennon's biggest fans hate him because of his background. What a person does defines his character. Neil hasn't exactly covered himself in glory on that part he's made mistakes and from those mistakes people form opinions. Whether rightly or wrongly based.
Does that address your concerns?
............................
You appear to be quite happy to follow the SMSM narrative that Neil Lennon brings it on himself.
You seem to give little or no thought to what he has had to endure since coming to play for Celtic, which has been abhorrent by any civilised standard.
You compare Neil Lennon to others who have received nowhere near the same amount of attacks by abuse, violence, intimidation, sectarianism, racism et al. Why is that?
You say that Neil Lennon by reacting to
probable abuse (yes you used the word probable) acted in a provocative manner and as a consequence something happened.
You make the point Neil Lennon has history for going out of his way to provoke those he has had previous issues with.
You say you are sticking to the evidence presented. Presented by whom? The SMSM? All the said evidence that you have locked in to that berates Neil Lennon and states he brings it all on himself to which it is apparent you obviously agree with.
You intimate Neil Lennon is on some sort of crusade. So it's a crusade for Neil Lennon to stand up for his rights and against the injustices he constantly has to deal with?
You say "good people" don't want to attract the attention Neil Lennon does. Who are these "good people"? Do they walk with their heads down? Do they have reserved seating at the back of the bus? Are you perhaps one of these"
good people"?
I am of the opinion, by what you state, imply and intimate you are trying desperately hard to besmirch Neil Lennon's character and have others come round to your way of thinking albeit in a somewhat at times subtle way.
I am of the further opinion your views are reminiscent of those of the SMSM.....and also of those who would either have the Neil Lennon's of this world know their place......or act in a subservient manner.
I therefore strongly disagree with your views, the context of what you are alluding to and the general content of what you are trying hard to have people believe is valid.
My concerns remain the same. They are light years apart from yours.
Neil Lennon is the perfect storm to those people to whom racism, intolerance, elitism and sectarianism et al is a major part of their DNA and modus operandi. He is Irish, Catholic, he played for Celtic and he won't be cowed. He is the uppity Fenian who has to be put in his place.
If there are those who don't see this then it is imo because they don't want to. Where do you fit in to this mix? I'll leave that for others to share their views if they choose to and decide for themselves.
Neil Lennon is not playing the victim....He is the victim.
