Celtic fans told there is a ‘genius’ on the board but there have been ‘loads’ of Peter Lawwell ‘fall-outs’
Protests against the Celtic board do not look to be going away, but fans have been warned of a potential consequence of their actions if they manage to oust the club’s hierarchy.
Celtic fans have protested against the board since the club crashed out of the Champions League against Kazakhstan side Kairat Almaty.
Supporters groups sent a letter to the Celtic board, whose response was slammed by many for its lack of accountability.
Amid the ongoing fan frustrations, concerns continue to grow that manager Brendan Rodgers could leave Celtic, and the former Liverpool boss is in the final year of his contract at the club.
Neil Lennon tells Celtic ‘good luck’ finding better owners
Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon has leaped to the defence of the Hoops board, claiming the club will find it difficult finding better owners.
As per the Scottish Sun, [15 October], Lennon said: “Dermot [Desmond] is a genius, for me. Not just from a sporting point of view, but an intellectual point of view.
“He’s very successful, hugely successful, probably the most successful man I’ve ever come across, in terms of what he’s earned and generated and built in his career.
“He’s on an intellectual level of no one else I’ve ever come across. He is very forward thinking, always looking to the future.
“He is very proactive, I have to say, in supporting Irish sportsmen, whether it be football, golf or Gaelic football. He loves his sport and he loves Celtic.
“Peter [Lawwell] is not only a great administrator but very astute. I fell out with him loads of times, as you would do, over deals or contracts or whatever.
“But everything he did was for the betterment of Celtic Football Club. Every deal, every decision made, the club always came first.
“I think they’ve brought great success. They’ve fought many battles for the club — many battles they’ve won against the odds.
| League Titles | 20 |
| Scottish Cups | 13 |
| Scottish League Cup | 13 |
| European Trophies | 0 |
“I just think the success the club has had since 2000 has been incredible. The amount of titles, Champions League, the Uefa Cup final, player trading, the money the club has, how well-run and sustainable the club is. The health of the club is what they think about going forward.
“They know they’re not going to be there forever, but what they’ve achieved on and off the field, it’s incredible.
“There’s no way Martin O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers, Gordon Strachan, managers of this ilk, would have come to Celtic if it hadn’t been for Dermot. No way, honestly.”
Celtic have won nine of the past ten Scottish Premiership titles, and made the knockout stages of the Champions League last season, but the board have been criticised for not building on this success.
Celtic groups to boycott League Cup semi-final
Amid the growing tensions between the board and fans, one of the most prominent supporters’ groups, the Green Brigade, have not been allocated any tickets for Celtic’s League Cup semi-final against Rangers.
Fellow supporters group Bhoys are standing in solidarity and are also staying away from the cup at Hampden Park.
On the news Lennon said: “I think it’s unnecessary, I don’t agree with it.“
The decision may have an impact on the atmosphere at the semi-final in what is an iconic and fierce derby on and off the pitch.