neil lennon calls time on celtic career
Paul Cuddihy
Neil Lennon has decided to call an end to his Celtic career at the end of the season.
Neil said: "Obviously having been with the Club for so long, it will be a real wrench to leave, but I have thought long and hard about this decision and believe that it is the right one.
"I feel it is right to go out on a high and given that we have just secured the League title for the second year running, I believe that this is the best decision at the best time.
"I have enjoyed my time at the Club immensely. I have worked with two fantastic managers in Gordon Strachan and Martin O'Neill, enjoyed working with some quality players and had a great relationship with the Celtic Board and all the staff at the Club.
"I would also like to thank the Celtic fans for their support. I have enjoyed a good relationship with supporters and sincerely appreciate the backing which they have given me over a number of years.
"This season has been particularly pleasing, having won the Championship, making the Scottish Cup final and obviously getting to the last 16 in the Champions League.
"It was a boyhood dream to play for the Club I loved – I am very proud to have achieved this and played for Celtic for so many years and clearly, when Gordon Strachan made me captain of the Club I was, of course, extremely honoured.
"I look forward to joining my team-mates and the manager in lifting the SPL trophy on Sunday. Great credit should go to the manager and his staff for all they have done over the past two years.
"We still have a good bit to do before the end of the season and I will be doing all I can to make sure we bring the Scottish Cup back to Celtic Park."
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell commented: "Without doubt, Neil Lennon will rightly be regarded as one of the Club's finest servants.
"Neil has served Celtic with distinction for nearly seven years and has achieved the highest of honours - SPL titles, Scottish Cups, League Cups, not to mention a European final and some famous Champions League victories.
"Clearly, we are all disappointed to see Neil leave the Club, but it is important that we celebrate Neil's contribution and all that he did in bringing such success to the Club in recent years.
"Rightly, since he joined the Club, Neil has been a firm favourite with our supporters and I know that, as captain, he has enjoyed greatly winning back-to-back Championships for the Club and its supporters.
"On behalf of the Celtic Board I would like to sincerely thank Neil for his magnificent contribution to the Club. Everyone at Celtic wishes Neil the very best for the future."
Celtic Manager Gordon Strachan said: "Neil has been a tremendous asset to Celtic and a great help to me since I came to the club. He is a true competitor and has always been a good team-mate, which I'm sure every player here now, or who has played alongside him in the past would confirm.
"We fully respect his decision and I understand fully that he feels the end of the season is the right time to leave the Club.
"Neil is proud of his achievements at the club, and rightly so, and very proud to be captain of Celtic. He has been vital to our success, winning two league championships in a row and the CIS Cup, as well as reaching this season's Scottish Cup final.
"And to captain Celtic as the club reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time was also a tremendous achievement.
"I would like to thank Neil, on a personal level for being a great captain and indeed a friend, through some difficult moments.
"On behalf of all the coaches and backroom staff here I would also like to thank him for everything he's done for Celtic, and we wish him every success for the future."
Martin Reilly, Neil Lennon's representative, said: "Clearly, it is disappointing that Neil has decided to end his time with Celtic but he feels that this is the best time to move on, something which we, of course, fully respect.
"Neil has had a tremendous time with Celtic and will forever love the Club dearly.
"Our dealings with the Club have always been excellent and we have nothing but praise for Chief Executive Peter Lawwell, the Celtic Board and the management at Celtic. Of course, we wish the Club all the very best for the future.
"We would also like to thank Gordon Strachan for everything he has done for Neil over the past two years. Gordon has had an important influence on Neil during this time and we thank him sincerely for the great support he has given his captain."
got some abuse towards the end from celtic fans, but he loved the club, right time to go i think
fair play to neil
Wheres he goin?
Don't be asking embarrasing question like that!
He could have left 3 years ago and I don't think he'd have been missed by Cletic at all.
Very limited player who would not have palyed in the EPL for as long as he did in the SPL. Probably quite clever on his part.
Did he play for clanns when he was wee?
i think in the first few months in the season he was class. i am a season ticket holder in dundee and he was great up to xmas. he does so much work that goes unnoticed and doesn't complain about it
My favourite memory of Lennon was after Milan put the Celts out this year he had his shirt off to swap jerseys, they then went to the Sky Sports studio and Ruud Gullit was pishing himself laughing "some players should not take their tops off" was his line i think. He had the physique of a pub team player.
Quote from: Armagh4SamAgain on April 25, 2007, 12:47:58 PM
Wheres he goin?
Joe Kernan is in crisis and has called him onto the squad
from teamtalk.com
QuoteHe has not retired from playing, and could seek a new club in England.
Lennon recently warned manager Gordon Strachan he would be unwilling to settle for the occasional cameo role at Celtic, saying: "I don't want to be the old player that hangs around clapping the boys off."
Former Old Firm star Mo Johnston has already expressed an interest in recruiting Lennon for his Toronto FC side, the Canadian outfit who are in the early stages of their maiden Major League Soccer campaign.
A move overseas looks unlikely just yet however, with the midfielder already rejecting the prospect of playing in America next season.
No disrespect to the man, but I didnt rate him for the reason that he only ever passed the ball back or if we were lucky square...
Sometimes you felt like saying FFS go forward.
So I suppose he has achieved a lot with limited ability
If he left to play for an English club would a return for Norn Iron be on the cards or is he past it?
Quote from: Tony Baloney on April 25, 2007, 01:06:50 PM
If he left to play for an English club would a return for Norn Iron be on the cards or is he past it?
Hes around the 35 mark. Anyway after the abuse the OWC and associated groupings gave him and his family, i would suspect he would rather avoid that situation.
Quote from: Bensars on April 25, 2007, 01:10:33 PM
Quote from: Tony Baloney on April 25, 2007, 01:06:50 PM
If he left to play for an English club would a return for Norn Iron be on the cards or is he past it?
Hes around the 35 mark. Anyway after the abuse the OWC and associated groupings gave him and his family, i would suspect he would rather avoid that situation.
Bensars did you not know that period of history has been airbrushed and did not actually happen so he could maybe come back for the high flying north........
Quote from: Bensars on April 25, 2007, 01:10:33 PM
Quote from: Tony Baloney on April 25, 2007, 01:06:50 PM
If he left to play for an English club would a return for Norn Iron be on the cards or is he past it?
Hes around the 35 mark. Anyway after the abuse the OWC and associated groupings gave him and his family, i would suspect he would rather avoid that situation.
Is that the same Neil Lennon who gave a speech praising NI fans, a few weeks ago, or a different one?
Lennon has stated that he wants to go into coaching.
Can't see him being happy as a squad player in one of the lower EPL teams or playing in the championship!
A year stateside may be on the cards, but he will be coaching sooner or later.
QuoteIs that the same Neil Lennon who gave a speech praising NI fans, a few weeks ago, or a different one?
what speech is this?
I believe he is earmarked for the NI job for starters.
Quote from: full back on April 25, 2007, 01:04:23 PM
No disrespect to the man, but I didnt rate him for the reason that he only ever passed the ball back or if we were lucky square...
Sometimes you felt like saying FFS go forward.
So I suppose he has achieved a lot with limited ability
Everyone knocked him back for no reason, he was a quality player. Neil wasn't bought to take on 5 men and stick the ball in the top corner, his role was to sit in front of the back four to protect them. He was the best at what he done and that was never give the ball away, when we have the ball the other team can't score.
He will be playing centre back for Clan na Gael next year :D, he actually was a very good gaelic footballer, he played with McGeeney and Co on the Armagh minor team many years ago and i am proud to say that he is Clan na Gael and Armagh man...
Quote from: illdecide on April 25, 2007, 01:22:09 PM
Quote from: full back on April 25, 2007, 01:04:23 PM
No disrespect to the man, but I didnt rate him for the reason that he only ever passed the ball back or if we were lucky square...
Sometimes you felt like saying FFS go forward.
So I suppose he has achieved a lot with limited ability
Everyone knocked him back for no reason, he was a quality player. Neil wasn't bought to take on 5 men and stick the ball in the top corner, his role was to sit in front of the back four to protect them. He was the best at what he done and that was never give the ball away, when we have the ball the other team can't score.
He will be playing centre back for Clan na Gael next year :D, he actually was a very good gaelic footballer, he played with McGeeney and Co on the Armagh minor team many years ago and i am proud to say that he is Clan na Gael and Armagh man...
whats that? Standing about and looking unfit? I'd give him a run for his money.
QuoteFormer Old Firm star Mo Johnston has already expressed an interest in recruiting Lennon for his Toronto FC side, the Canadian outfit who are in the early stages of their maiden Major League Soccer campaign.
He can fcuk right off
Quote from: SlimShady on April 25, 2007, 01:26:37 PM
Quote from: illdecide on April 25, 2007, 01:22:09 PM
Quote from: full back on April 25, 2007, 01:04:23 PM
No disrespect to the man, but I didnt rate him for the reason that he only ever passed the ball back or if we were lucky square...
Sometimes you felt like saying FFS go forward.
So I suppose he has achieved a lot with limited ability
Everyone knocked him back for no reason, he was a quality player. Neil wasn't bought to take on 5 men and stick the ball in the top corner, his role was to sit in front of the back four to protect them. He was the best at what he done and that was never give the ball away, when we have the ball the other team can't score.
He will be playing centre back for Clan na Gael next year :D, he actually was a very good gaelic footballer, he played with McGeeney and Co on the Armagh minor team many years ago and i am proud to say that he is Clan na Gael and Armagh man...
whats that? Standing about and looking unfit? I'd give him a run for his money.
Spot the difference, your on this board talking shite and he's a multi millionaire playing for one of the greatest clubs in the world. You have him quaking in his boots you clown ::)
he's a ginger gobshite who has been carrying too much weight for a long time. Hasnt passed the ball forward in 8 years and needs a taxi to get from box to box. Hats off to him though indeed, he conned everyone into thinking he was a professional footballer :D
Quote from: illdecide on April 25, 2007, 01:31:13 PM
Quote from: SlimShady on April 25, 2007, 01:26:37 PM
Quote from: illdecide on April 25, 2007, 01:22:09 PM
Quote from: full back on April 25, 2007, 01:04:23 PM
No disrespect to the man, but I didnt rate him for the reason that he only ever passed the ball back or if we were lucky square...
Sometimes you felt like saying FFS go forward.
So I suppose he has achieved a lot with limited ability
Everyone knocked him back for no reason, he was a quality player. Neil wasn't bought to take on 5 men and stick the ball in the top corner, his role was to sit in front of the back four to protect them. He was the best at what he done and that was never give the ball away, when we have the ball the other team can't score.
He will be playing centre back for Clan na Gael next year :D, he actually was a very good gaelic footballer, he played with McGeeney and Co on the Armagh minor team many years ago and i am proud to say that he is Clan na Gael and Armagh man...
whats that? Standing about and looking unfit? I'd give him a run for his money.
Spot the difference, your on this board talking shite and he's a multi millionaire playing for one of the greatest clubs in the world. You have him quaking in his boots you clown ::)
He may be a millionaire but he is still s*it. He could maybe go and work for Relate as a marriage/relationship councillor or maybe the CSA !!!
QuoteHasnt passed the ball forward in 8 years and needs a taxi to get from box to box
did he not hit a shot at the weekend and score last year? and the ball he playerd for gravesons goal at celtic park earlier this season was one nakamura would be proud of. he was there to do his job, and he did it well. he didnt need to attack from the centre because he had petrov most of the time. so he had to cover him. even this year he made graveson and jarosik look like he was the one at real madrid and chelsea.
You's are all a bunch of jealous wankers. And so what he spread a few seed around, tell me who wouldn't turn down getting the leg over afterall he's a single guy who likes a bit of riding (thats normal in my book)
Is it true he's barred from the courthouse in Lurgan?? - heard he didn't have the best of attitudes on his returns home!? :-\
I thought he played quite well in the Champs League this year, esp against United.
Quote from: illdecide on April 25, 2007, 01:43:34 PM
You's are all a bunch of jealous wankers. And so what he spread a few seed around, tell me who wouldn't turn down getting the leg over afterall he's a single guy who likes a bit of riding (thats normal in my book)
Single???
did he not get roasted by a pig farmer from Caley, a postman from Ayr and a disposal operative from Ayr in his time as well? Before boasting to them that he earned more in a week than they did in a year? Classy guy alright.
Quotedid he not get roasted by a pig farmer from Caley, a postman from Ayr and a disposal operative from Ayr in his time as well? Before boasting to them that he earned more in a week than they did in a year? Classy guy alright
slim do you ever have anything good to say about anyone, anything cos your an awful f**king humpy ****
ach now, no need for the language. calm yourself down a wee bit there, are you one of the wans our Neil is humping on the side?
I hear he isnt too popular a boy in his hometown of Lurgan
Fair play to Lennon, he did well for himself. But hs's well known to up up his own hole. Came back for Clan na Gael golf classic, went on the drink instead and then told everyone in the Ashburn he could the place 10x over
Quotedid he not get roasted by a pig farmer from Caley, a postman from Ayr and a disposal operative from Ayr in his time as well? Before boasting to them that he earned more in a week than they did in a year? Classy guy alright
i think you will find it was bellamy that was mouthing of for what he earned. not lennon.
the man mite have had limited abilities but he always busted his balls for the team and was always there to get stick from fans all over the country but he didn't care because he was playing for his team who he loved. bit of respect or the guy for his footballing career. not his own personal life which i agree is a bit suspect, but thats not what we should be judging him on
Quote from: the colonel on April 25, 2007, 02:08:09 PM
Quotedid he not get roasted by a pig farmer from Caley, a postman from Ayr and a disposal operative from Ayr in his time as well? Before boasting to them that he earned more in a week than they did in a year? Classy guy alright
i think you will find it was bellamy that was mouthing of for what he earned. not lennon.
the man mite have had limited abilities but he always busted his balls for the team and was always there to get stick from fans all over the country but he didn't care because he was playing for his team who he loved. bit of respect or the guy for his footballing career. not his own personal life which i agree is a bit suspect, but thats not what we should be judging him on
Respect? That sc**bag wouldnt know too much about respect. He should never have been made Captain of one of the worlds most famous clubs. Since he's had the captaincy he's been caught on camera giving the middle finger to away fans, spitting on an away teams scarf, arguing with one of Celtics own supporters after a 1 nil Old Firm defeat and then firing a water bottle into an empty away dugout! These are hardly the actions of a good Captain nor even in fact a respectable person.
Could you see Billy McNeil or Paul McStay at this lark? I don't think so.
Quote from: the colonel on April 25, 2007, 02:08:09 PM
Quotedid he not get roasted by a pig farmer from Caley, a postman from Ayr and a disposal operative from Ayr in his time as well? Before boasting to them that he earned more in a week than they did in a year? Classy guy alright
i think you will find it was bellamy that was mouthing of for what he earned. not lennon.
the man mite have had limited abilities but he always busted his balls for the team and was always there to get stick from fans all over the country but he didn't care because he was playing for his team who he loved. bit of respect or the guy for his footballing career. not his own personal life which i agree is a bit suspect, but thats not what we should be judging him on
The boul Lennon was at it too,to fans if my memory serves me right
QuoteCould you see Billy McNeil or Paul McStay at this lark? I don't think so
did you see mcneill or mcstay get that kind of abuse? even from their own fans? I don't think so. some celtic fans piss me off. your supposed to get behind your team. did you see any fans going mad at Boruc? it was celtics fault they got beat in that game, but sure lets take it out on Lennon because he is the easy target.
roy keane
fought in pubs non stop when he was at Man United but he didn't get any abuse from fans?
Quote from: the colonel on April 25, 2007, 01:18:26 PM
QuoteIs that the same Neil Lennon who gave a speech praising NI fans, a few weeks ago, or a different one?
what speech is this?
He sent a video message to the recent Football for All awards event, praising the NI supporters and acknowledging the work that's been done.
More details at http://www.irishfa.com/grassroots/football-for-all/awards-night-feb-07/ (http://www.irishfa.com/grassroots/football-for-all/awards-night-feb-07/)
Dont mention Roy Keane in the same sentence as Lennon you tool. Unless of course it goes something like-
''Neil Lennon couldnt lace Roy Keanes boots''
Neil Lennon got/gets the stick because of the sc**bag he is. McStay and McNeil were/are pure gents of the game. It doesnt make pleasant reading for a Lennon-worshipper but its the truth.
McNeill and McStay were gentlemen. That's the difference. Lennon has brought a lot of problems on himself.
He did well with the talant he had but in terms of defensive midfielders of the last 15 years he is a long way down the list. He is probably in the same bracket as Lee Carsley and Calton Palmer.
Quoteroy keane fought in pubs non stop when he was at Man United but he didn't get any abuse from fans?
Do people actually think before they post this kind of drivel?
i would be a tool to compare their footballing ability but did I say that.
stick from away fans is fine, not as if i havent giving ferguson/ ricksen abuse in the past but getting constant abuse from your own fans is wrong. what does that contribute to the team. telfer or mo camara didnt get much abuse and they were shocking.
I am not a lennon worshipper but so called celtic fans who come to games to give abuse to their own players pisses me off. dont even deserve a ticket to a game if that is all they want to contribute
Quote from: the colonel on April 25, 2007, 02:23:21 PM
roy keane fought in pubs non stop when he was at Man United but he didn't get any abuse from fans?
Think you should fcuk off back to KFC, colonel
so you saying he didn't?
read his book you idiots
Quoteread his book you idiots
I'm afraid, good sir, its you who need to read his book. And then read what you typed again. And then retract.
?
Plenty of stories about Lenny when he came home to Lurgan. Most of them probably just rumours from people jealous of his success.
I did see him and Gerry Taggart sticking £20 notes to their face one night though. :D
Colonel, your wasting your time arguing with these eejits.
Thank you Neil for 7 years of hard graft and commitment........! 8)
Slim has this guy summed up - good riddance to bad rubbish.
Neil Lennon has been an outstanding servant to Celtic for 7 years and a way better player than he was ever given credit for. He has slowed down all right in the last couple of years but before that he was as effective as nearly any defensive midfielder around.
When he was at unfashionable Leicester he was their backbone and led them to three League Cup Finals, winning two. Chelsea were trying to sign him when he chose Celtic and since then he has had to put up with more abuse than any other footballer will ever receive.
The time is right for him to leave Celtic on a high. Thanks Neil for your efforts.
Here's an article on Lennon which appeared on one of the Celtic websites earlier this year summing up what he's had to go through as a Celtic player:
http://www.etims.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1772&Itemid=29
Here's another piece written on him today:
http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/football/display.var.1355586.0.0.php
QuotePosted by: Gaoth Dobhair Abu
Colonel, your wasting your time arguing with these eejits.
ClosetotheHarte
Neil Lennon has been an outstanding servant to Celtic
finally decent celtic supporters!
Neil Lennon is one of my favorite players, not at all one of the best, just in regards to football intelligence, team leader and holding player par excellance. I am not a Celtic fan.
Games that I remember with him in particular were the away games against Ajax and Liverpool.
His time had to come some day to leave his favored club and he couldn't have chosen a better time to leave.
"then firing a water bottle into an empty away dugout!"
I never realised Lennon did this, jesus the guy is worse than hitler ::)
See the little sc**bag was being his usual spiteful self today...
just finished his book (only ok) and trouble follows lennon around the place, never his fault tho. no doubt he loves celtic but a cool head on a captain is a big help and that he doesnt have. as far as i can see he never met a fight he didnt like....
Quote from: paddypastit on May 12, 2007, 08:30:30 PM
See the little sc**bag was being his usual spiteful self today...
What because Aberdeen fans booed him and tried to drown him out as he made his farewell speech, or is it just you that is being spiteful?
Quote from: paddypastit on April 25, 2007, 11:27:30 PM
Slim has this guy summed up - good riddance to bad rubbish.
QuoteSee the little sc**bag was being his usual spiteful self today...
That's pretty rough language to use from someone who is usually fairly moderate. Poor show.
I met Neil Lennon once and he went out of his way to sign a rake of kits for kids back home and then offered to organise a trip over to Glasgow for a team of youngsters in our area. Maybe I met him on a good day but a nicer guy you couldn't meet.
Not that he will be missed, its a two team competition.
Am I wrong?
Lennon plays that unglamourous role in soccer. He is not as good as he used to be.
At leicester he used to take a lot of the free kicks and so on and was quite creative. Celtic (Martin ONeill) seemed to fobid him from doing this. Think in his last epl season in leicester he was top of the opta stats chart for passes/pass completion - above Keano and Viera (players in similar positions).
Lennon was the driving force behind Celtic in his first few seaons. When his pace started to go, plus changing from a 352 (which hid his lack of speed) to a 442 - Lennon was no longer the force he was.
Always did wel in most games, but you need pace in the modern soccer game.
Think he was kept to help bring along young Celtic players.
Think he realised that he needed to leave to stop Strachan embarrassing them both and continuing to pick him next season.
Was a better player than people give him credit for alright, was very good for Celtic.some of their fans need a good kick up the ass with their attitude. I can never understand fans giving abuse to their own players. Though I think the Celtic support got behind lennon after this.
i have met lennon quite a few times now through a mutial friend and the fella is a gentleman,yes he has got into a few scraps but like the rest of us you do silly things in the heat of the moment,so you may all judge him on his football ability but dont discredit his personality when you dont even know him
being at uni in scotland, i know he is the honorary president of glasgow uni's gaelic team and has attended thir functions, sponsored the team and also been to a few of their games with john hartson when he could make it. he has been decent to all their lads in the past.
From the BBC Website:
Forest win race to capture Lennon
Lennon knows the East Midlands from his time at Leicester
Nottingham Forest have beaten a host of clubs to sign former Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon on a one-year contract.
The 35-year-old, who left Celtic last month after seven successful years, becomes Forest boss Colin Calderwood's first signing of the summer.
Lennon, however, will not be joining in a coaching capacity as first thought.
His former club Leicester were thought to be among several Championship clubs keen on the Ulsterman, while Sunderland were also linked with a move for him.
WTF
Forest ???
There mustnt have been many clubs looking for him if he ended up there
Not a bad move for him, at least he will be getting games, really couldnt see him playing regulary in the premiership now at this stage of his career. Maybe this move will open the door to his international comeback :P
He nearly joined Wycombe Wanderers, and Paul Lambert, last week!
I suspect he will be in the manager's job at the City Ground very soon.Calderwood's failure to win promotion last season surely means that anything less than a scintillating start to the new league season,will see him out of a job pronto.
Wonder had Forest Legend Martin O'Neill anything to do with this?
Quote from: T Fearon on June 12, 2007, 04:20:51 PM
He nearly joined Wycombe Wanderers, and Paul Lambert, last week!
I suspect he will be in the manager's job at the City Ground very soon.Calderwood's failure to win promotion last season surely means that anything less than a scintillating start to the new league season,will see him out of a job pronto.
Wonder had Forest Legend Martin O'Neill anything to do with this?
by all accounts , folk were convinced that he was joining sunderland !
So this means the end of celtics domination of a really strong league.What a shame, i was getting used to it being a rangers celtic competition.