I remember so well as a lot of you will,when Lenny played his first game on the road for Celtic back in 2000.It was at Dens Park & the minute he touched the ball it started....away ya dirty fenian b*****d. On that day NFL learned very quickly that this would be something he'd have to get used to.Because of his origins, & the club that he chose to represent he immediately became the most hated man EVER to grace the Scottish game.He retires from International football because he starts getting death threats that he never got when he played for Leicester....does that drive him out of Celtic? No.He gets letter bombs & bullets in the post....does that drive him out of Celtic? No. He gets assaulted in the street on more than one occasion & assaulted at Tynecastle( Case not proven ffs) does that drive him out of Celtic No. He even has to put up with the poison at a Christmas Pantomime when the toxic element in the crowd start their " dirty fenian b******" crap & are allowed to do so by the ushers.Do the troglodytes get thrown out, does anybody call the cops ? Why would they it's only Lennon & he brings it on himself or so we keep getting told.He couldn't even escape it in his own home as the Kill Neil Lennon graffitti was written on the walls of his house yet still he stays.He started our run to the 9 titles & delivered the 8th when Brendan walked out.He delivered a triple & is on the brink of delivering the quadruple & who knows, he might yet get us the 10 that's driving a lot of our support to hysteria! If he doesn't however we regroup & move on.We have no divine right to win the title every season but one thing is certain, nobody wants it more than Lenny & he'll do everything he can to deliver it.In spite of all he's had to put up with since arriving into the cesspit that is football in the West of Scotland he stayed strong & hardened himself to all the hatred that came his way.He himself said "It made him stronger".How will he feel today, when he sees the people who mean so much to him....Celtic fans, are the ones who are now trying to force him out of the club that means everything to him.We call ourselves the best supporters in the world now is the time to prove it.
Great sentiments there, Mick, and something we should always be aware of when considering the personal attacks that Neil Lennon has been the subject of over the years.
But just to play devil's advocate for a moment, for as much as we should pay proper tribute to Neil Lennon's accomplishments and be grateful for them, I think Neil himself owes the Celtic supporters a debt of gratitude for the solidarity and the support he received during these atrocious events.
Unfortunately - as has been recently shown, patience is finite and the stresses and strains of this season appear to be weighing heavily upon all of our shoulders at the moment.
I support Neil Lennon, but that would be so much easier to do if he accepted that there are issues with our team that appear to be spiralling out of his control. Former players and associates are now suggesting that coaching was not his forte, it was his motivational skills that appear to be his most prominent feature and if he can't adequately motivate the players, then his purpose as manager is compromised.
Neil Lennon is a Celtic supporter. I trust that as one of us, he wishes only what is best for the club and his fellow fans. I believe it is this dedication to the cause that will determine his future and this game tonight will surely prove if he has the backing of the players. If things continue as they have done so recently, then I fully expect Neil Lennon will make a personal sacrifice to hopefully benefit the club.
If and when Neil Lennon leaves Celtic, he should be lauded on our Roll of Honour. He might not be in that top bracket of genuine Celtic legends, but he will certainly feature on that second tier of famous Celtic men.
Few men (but still far too many) have had to endure the sheer hatred and viciousness that Neil Lennon has had to encounter in his life. It would be absolutely abhorrent if circumstances dictate that he has to endure further hostility from his own kind. Folk are entitled to be concerned at the standard of football on offer. Folk are entitled to be bewildered by current events. Folk are entitled to honestly be critical of Neil and his philosophies. They don't even really have to like the man and what he represents; however - decency alone should give the man thanks and his dignity.
Thanks for that original post, Mick. I'm sure there are plenty of folk who agree with and share your gratitude.