The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[Hectic]

Yeah he would be far better taking all their shite, all the intimidation, all the stuff they vent onto him to deal with their own insecurities and using it to remind himself not to make eye contact, keep the head down, do not celebrate his team goals.

In fact when he is likely to be facing that he would be better taking the day off and letting the assistant take the team. The last thing he wants to be doing is show any sort of defiance against the like of what wishes to make his life hell.

If he had not acted in that way they would no doubt have warmed to him and started to lay off him.

[bennydorano]

The faux outrage is ridiculous. Just bend over there Neil sure and make it easier.

[ned]

"Provocatively cupping his ears". You can't get worse than that. He should be banned for life from football. No, in fact,  he should be locked away for life in case he does it again.

[an léirmheastóir]

Watched Sportscene last night and was sniggering away. Lenny knows how to push their buttons, but the over reactions are comical.

Probably More than anyone in the public eye, Neil has been on the receiving end of unprovoked sectarian abuse, in various forms , and it's easy to see how he feels aggrieved. However he is in a position of responsibility and is no doubt paid relatively handsomely. No doubt he was subject to the usual antagonism and abuse from fans on Saturday past but it is incumbent on anyone in his position not to provocatively cup his ears and gesture inappropriately.
Having defended Neil in the face of appalling antagonism over many years, I won't be defending the indefensible here.
Given what he has been on the receiving end of himself, it was a fairly minor indiscretion, but criticism of it is hardly an over-reaction. If Brendan Rodgers , for example, or any high profile manager or player from any sport conducted themselves like that , they would be rightly criticised.

What an absolute dick

[6th sam]

"Provocatively cupping his ears". You can't get worse than that. He should be banned for life from football. No, in fact,  he should be locked away for life in case he does it again.

Soccer at the highest levels stirs passion among supporters unrivalled in most sports. In Scotland, you can throw in the sectarian element for good measure. These stadiums are cauldrons, stirred up by fuelled up thugs who thrive on hatred and controversy. What sets Neil apart in that he is paid handsomely , and rules dictate that he should try to rise above that. He is in the position of a role model.
If Mickey Harte turned round to Armagh fans after Raymond Mulgrew scored last week, or Alex Ferguson turned round to Liverpool fans after Roy Keane scored years ago, and cupped their ears and gestured inappropriately, they'd be roundly  criticised. As already stated, no other high profile sports personality has had to endure the sectarian abuse Neil has had to stomach over several years. Whereas, he seems to have put that to one side by apparently supporting the Northern Ireland soccer team as a TV pundit last year ( I can't understand this apparent NI affiliation, given his experiences)  , but in the case of last weekend, he slipped up.  Many, not myself included, willnow  be more than happy to get the boot into Neil, and I've no doubt that on reflection, he'll be regretting his actions.
Does he deserve  severe sanction? , No. Is he beyond reproach? No.

[Hectic]

Ferguson etc might be criticized for such an action alright but none of them has had to endure what Neil Lennon has had to endure.  He was attacked in the street by two Ibrox season ticket holders who were passed down sentences FFS.  Yet even in this instance it was being portrayed as he brings this sort of stuff onto himself. 

You have to remember he was inciting those supporters on Saturday by his mere presence there.  One of the complaints was about him celebrating a goal along with the complaint about cupping his ears. 

I remember when Cantona went into the crowd - maybe a better comparison in terms of serious provocation but a much much much stronger reaction - at that time I felt I could understand why Cantona reacted in the way he did even though he was being paid handsomely. 

At the end of the day Lennon was getting serious verbal abuse after years of serious verbal and physical abuse.  If he wants to cup his ears to say yeah give me all you have got because you know what you will not put me down then too bad if those in the same stand find that to be unpalatable.

[6th sam]

Ferguson etc might be criticized for such an action alright but none of them has had to endure what Neil Lennon has had to endure.  He was attacked in the street by two Ibrox season ticket holders who were passed down sentences FFS.  Yet even in this instance it was being portrayed as he brings this sort of stuff onto himself. 

You have to remember he was inciting those supporters on Saturday by his mere presence there.  One of the complaints was about him celebrating a goal along with the complaint about cupping his ears. 

I remember when Cantona went into the crowd - maybe a better comparison in terms of serious provocation but a much much much stronger reaction - at that time I felt I could understand why Cantona reacted in the way he did even though he was being paid handsomely. 

At the end of the day Lennon was getting serious verbal abuse after years of serious verbal and physical abuse.  If he wants to cup his ears to say yeah give me all you have got because you know what you will not put me down then too bad if those in the same stand find that to be unpalatable.

I have stated on several occasions that Neil has been on the receiving end of disgraceful unprovoked hatred.
It's understandable, how he would want to get his own back, but the rules and expectations of managers and players are clear. Neil, continues to make a successful career out of soccer , and his fighting qualities are a major part of that, in a positive way. However, if he crosses the line, like anyone else,  he deserves to be called out for that.  I don't think any reasonable person can argue with that logic.
Was I delighted to see him win and get one over on those that have subjected him to horrendous abuse? Yes. Do , I think he conducted himself appropriately after the goal? No

[Hectic]

Look everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  What I saw was a man who has suffered the most extreme abuse facing up to his haters saying you will not break me.  Its not as if he was blessing himself in front of them or giving them the two fingers or even throwing a load of verbal abuse back at them. After the goal he was saying how do you like that and after the final whistle he was saying give me all you have got. 

I appreciate what you are saying about expected conduct for a manager but at the same time I can fully understand his reaction - some people cower to bullies, some ignore them and others face up to them - such is the rich tapestry of life.  Yes the football authorities might have a say on it but at the same time I would not be criticizing him too strongly.

[stew]

Look everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  What I saw was a man who has suffered the most extreme abuse facing up to his haters saying you will not break me.  Its not as if he was blessing himself in front of them or giving them the two fingers or even throwing a load of verbal abuse back at them. After the goal he was saying how do you like that and after the final whistle he was saying give me all you have got. 

I appreciate what you are saying about expected conduct for a manager but at the same time I can fully understand his reaction - some people cower to bullies, some ignore them and others face up to them - such is the rich tapestry of life.  Yes the football authorities might have a say on it but at the same time I would not be criticizing him too strongly.

I wouldnt criticize him at all, these scummy bastards think because they buy a ticket they can act any way they want, they cant, fair play to Lennon.

[Esmarelda]

Look everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  What I saw was a man who has suffered the most extreme abuse facing up to his haters saying you will not break me.  Its not as if he was blessing himself in front of them or giving them the two fingers or even throwing a load of verbal abuse back at them. After the goal he was saying how do you like that and after the final whistle he was saying give me all you have got. 

I appreciate what you are saying about expected conduct for a manager but at the same time I can fully understand his reaction - some people cower to bullies, some ignore them and others face up to them - such is the rich tapestry of life.  Yes the football authorities might have a say on it but at the same time I would not be criticizing him too strongly.

I wouldnt criticize him at all, these scummy b**tards think because they buy a ticket they can act any way they want, they cant, fair play to Lennon.

I'd be ever so slightly critical of Lennon if there was some form of punishment for fans.

Surely there's some way that this abuse can be caught on camera (with sound) at these grounds.

The thing is, unless it's specifically racial abuse it's fair game which I find unacceptable.

[ned]

Police will take no further action. Await the SFA doing the same. Aye right!
FFS I saw Dyche celebrate a Burnley goal in front of Chelsea fans with a raised arm and clenched fist. That looked like a GIRUY to me. Mourinho used to race the length of the touchline in celebration. Plenty of players do the ear cupping or finger to the mouth gesture. It should be seen for what it is,an emotional response in celebration. Poor wee lambs just can't take it being beaten by an Irish, Catholic, ex Celtic player and manager.

[Milltown Row2]

Police will take no further action. Await the SFA doing the same. Aye right!
FFS I saw Dyche celebrate a Burnley goal in front of Chelsea fans with a raised arm and clenched fist. That looked like a GIRUY to me. Mourinho used to race the length of the touchline in celebration. Plenty of players do the ear cupping or finger to the mouth gesture. It should be seen for what it is,an emotional response in celebration. Poor wee lambs just can't take it being beaten by an Irish, Catholic, ex Celtic player and manager and ex Northern Ireland player captain.

Fixed that

[Main Street]

Since they finished their playing days, both Lenny and Ally have bloated out in a similar dumpy fashion.

[Esmarelda]

He's been cleared.

[Dire Ear]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40921922