Your play, Neil.

[Bhoy Fett]

Yesterday's SPL encounter with Kilmarnock presented a moment for Celtic supporters that could well become a marker for the season. As fans, we have witnessed many moments over the years but the true meaning of Saturday's match has yet to be determined.

At half-time the shared feeling across the globe was that at 3-0 down to Kilmarnock we were finished and who would argue? Beyond that I felt that Neil Lennon would throw in the towel and Celtic's season would slip into the abyss.

What happened in that Celtic dressing room at Rugby Park during the interval I can only imagine. With your season languishing badly, your leadership under scrutiny and your team playing like Kenny Hill Mudsplashers, you have nothing to lose except your own dignity.

Celtic re-emerged after the interval with two changes which saw a petulant Kayal hooked and along with him Hooper, who for me has not looked sharp this season despite his four goal tally. In their place came Wanyama and Bangura, later would see Cha Du-Ri replaced by El-Kaddouri.

There is no doubt that what took place in that second half was like a second half of the season. However, why Celtic find themselves in this position given the progress that was made last season only a few men can answer.

To me, it seems that somewhere between last seasons threats on the managers life and his own tactical naivety, Neil Lennon has dropped the script. For others the blame lies within the board room and the underfunded transfer budget that was available.

The overriding factor in this argument though is that many, myself included, said that Neil Lennon must retain all of his good players in order to take the club forward. He kept all of his players, in fact he even pursued Fraser Forster like a man possessed and in doing so kept the squad shape the same with a few additional members coming in.

What has been witnessed this season is a far different story and has included a variety of woes. Those woes within the team have challenged the coaching staff this season but with an ample squad size you would expect better.

The question mark over why Lennon persists with certain players though is even something he is beginning to talk about in public. Forster, Majstorovic and Samaras have all made me scratch my own eyes out for some time now and even although Forster had a half-decent stint last season, I wouldn't have gone to all the fuss of bringing him back because I saw his flaws.

Majstorovic and Samaras are capable of throwing away entire games. A man of Majstorovic's 'experience' should be a better player for Celtic but it isn't nor has it ever worked and don't even get me started on Samaras - his time is up to and he can't live on scoring at Ibrox forever.

That said, whatever Neil Lennon decides to do with his squad from this point on will be a decisive factor in his own future. Mentality certainly seems to be a huge issue currently as does tactics but these players are not incapable.

It may well be a change of tides for this team, especially with the result that mirrored our own across the city. But this was only a let off in my eyes, you got a second chance Neil, it's up to you.

Hail! Hail!


BF, MTH

[Unregistered]

Well written piece, measured response to yesterday, unlike some other "Celtic suporters" sites. well done.

[jim the tim]

lads, i said it last year and say it again lenny will never be the man to take us forward

[Unregistered]

Jim the Tim : They say opinions are like a**holes, as everyone has one. Unfortunately, you've discovered how to post yours on the internet. (Your opinion, not your a**hole, although the latter can probably talk more sense).

No doubt you'll clam up and disappear when we win the league this year.

[Unregistered]

I think Lenny believed in BELIEVING in certain players and if he showed faith in them, they would repay his faith in time.. He may now be realizing that plan is not working concerning the players mentioned above? I still believe we can turn this aroundthough..r*****s run has came to an end at home..if they loose jelavic or 'the diver' and a wee loss of form, its all change,if we can get back the stability we had last season(post x-mas)but NOW..it over till its over!!
HAIL HAIL

[strathavenhoops]

Do not agree .but he must be firm with the players letting us down and expect backing from those above . Lenny is the only man who put his neck on the block after the mowbray fiasco and the only man who could have got the support back on side .now its our turn to show faith in the man Yes he has made mistakes yes he is a young inexperienced manager but he is leading us forward in a way only he can do a way no other manager wanted to even try i give you owen coyle for 1 . My only concern is the lack of real investment from upstairs .if you pay peanuts you get monkeys .Mr Desmond Mr Lawwell take note

[joe1888cfc]

Samaras getting it again and he diet even play. At least wi sammy u get a player that never hides and gives defenders a hard time, unlike some others. Kayal should be hunted out the door, ki's a coward, too many not wanting to go in where it hurts!!