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Neil Lennon - Tentative First Steps Bearing Fruit

Written by Monty Burns
Sunday, 18 July 2010
“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results” Winston Churchill I’m rarely, if ever, enamoured with quoting British politicians given how distant that particular animal is from any aspect of my identity, culture and existence. However, in looking for an apt phrase to frame an article for the site, Churchill’s prose above struck home a chord. In Neil Lennon assuming the mantle of Celtic Manager, any notion of the PLC board having anything resembling a strategy for the stewardship of the footballing operation went clean out the window. Notwithstanding the fact that the Celtic board could not/would not/cannot attract a manager of true track record and class to the post, with Lennon now in charge all accountability for tactics, strategy and results now transfer to him. Along with any concept of the risk of a rookie manager making a balls of it being transferred to the Celtic support through the somewhat sickly irksome “Peter and Neil” roadshow. With all that in mind it’s worth examining the early tenure of Neil Lennon as Celtic manager and look at any moves thus far made... "I will have a natter with all the guys. We have had enquiries but nothing concrete. Obviously Aiden is one that I would like to keep. And unless we get an offer which is suitable for us and what we want to do going forward, then Artur will be here next season." Neil Lennon Any signings and transfers to this point have been as practical as they were predictable. The exits of N’Guemo, Zheng Zi, Mizuno, Naylor, Braafheid, Keane, Boruc and McManus were arguably all on the cards irrespective of who got the job with a combination of contracts, resale value, ability and willingness to stay all combining. With Boruc and McManus - and to a lesser extent Naylor - the only Celtic incumbents displaying any of the same passion and mettle required (Keane doesn’t count, he’s a Spurs player) the exit door for the above mentioned was a matter of when rather than if. The when being the most opportune time to cash in or let go. Word also reaches E-Tims that soon to be appearing on the front cover of ”Shoogly Peg” Magazine are Andreas Hinkel, Big Sammy Samaras and Morten Rasumussen (out on loan). Paddy McCourt will be allowed leave for £500K up front and if Wolves come back in for McGinn at the circa £1M reported last year he’ll also see himself boarding the ‘dahn saaaf’ express. The impending ‘trade’ of McGeady to Birmingham (more in this weeks’ Friday Supplement folks) and more interestingly the angle that Scott Brown will also be heading ‘dahn saaaf’ in the coming weeks to fund the lacking ‘marquee’ signing we’re all craving (well, at least the mythical season ticket waiting list is craving) has seen a flurry of midfield activity both in reality and press speculation. With the McGeady scenario being arguably more predictable given the noises from the various parties concerned, any movement of Brown to an EPL based club would have to represent a solid deal for Celtic and Brown. With Skoosh settled at Celtic it will be interesting to see how Lennon’s ruthless streak manifests itself, if at all. £8M on paper for Brown could fund a whole lot of EPL striker ‘trade’ – especially when said whippet has some unfinished business with Brer Hun. “I need more men in the team. I'm looking for players with experience and a better mentality." Neil Lennon Inbound has seen some solid, workmanlike signings in Charlie Mulgrew (attitude in spades and should never have left in the first place), Cha Du-Ri (solid, dependable, experienced and good World Cup behind him), Joe Ledley (former Cardiff captain), Efrain Juarez (hard grafting Mexican internationalist with good World Cup behind him) and Daryl Murphy (imagine this, a centre forward over 6ft that actually can take a hit) and it’s obvious that Lennon has identified steel and character as flaws in the existing squad make up. Add in what unfortunately looks to be a wild goose chase in Sol Campbell and it’s obvious that Lennon’s core attributes in looking at a player are in line with what he’s publicly stated. "I want that passion and noise from the crowd and I want my players to go to war every time they go out on the pitch” Neil Lennon So what to expect? Hopefully the remaining few trades between now and the start of the season will give the manager the personnel and attitude required to regain the title. Nothing less will do and in fairness no Celtic manager previous to Lennon will have had such an advantageous position over Brer Hun, a club truly in meltdown and fire-sale mode. While Lennon can spend money and sign character, experience and pay decent money for players courted by mid table EPL clubs, Rangers are being knocked back by practically every journeyman in football, while publically announcing a top wage of £17K per week. Not money to be sniffed at but Celtic now truly hold the aces for any player who’d want to play in Scotland. More money, more prospects and a team in build mode. I suspect Lennon’s character as much as these factors swayed Ledley in favour of Celtic. We’re truly in interesting times given footballs apparent financial meltdown and the demise of the free spending mess that was the EPL can only be for the betterment of the game. If Celtic can capitalise and build on a base of a settled financial model then it can only be for the progression of the club. Going back to Churchill’s quote at the start of this piece would be I’d suggest a wise point of reflection for Lawell, Reid and Desmond. If Celtic realise the benefits of the oft repeated frugal position of Celtic then the strategy will have delivered. If in appointing a populist manager the strategy backfires, he has to trade to spend money and also cannot deliver a league championship of a dangerous, wounded, manky dog in Govan the strategy will have failed. If that vision of hell pervades, only heads on plates will do, served cold in the carpark. And it won’t be Neil Lennon’s head the mob will bay for. It promises to be an interesting season ahead. “May you live in interesting times” was one of Zheng Zi’s ancestors favourite curses. Hopefully Celtic’s first season under Neil Lennon’s tutelage will present sufficient interest and monotony to deliver success - failure truly is not an option
Last Updated ( Sunday, 18 July 2010 )

ETims - The Main Event

1/8

The Monday After Friday International Week Excuse Late Supplement Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for about seven years
Stole many a man's dough and faith

I was 'round when Aiden McGeady
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Spartak
Greased his hands and sealed his fate

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game

I stuck around Florence Italy
When I saw it was a time to grab some change
Sealed the deal with La Viola
The Holy Goalie screamed in vain

Been called a wank
Raided your piggy bank
When the mid-years raged
And the finance stank

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name, oh yeah
Ah, what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah
(woo woo, woo woo)

I watched with glee
While your trades and kings
Sold for millions made
Traded for duds instead
(woo woo, woo woo)

I shouted out,
"Who paid for Robbie Keane?"
When after all
It was you not me
(who who, who who)

Let me please introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
And I laid traps for tabloid hacks
Who get briefed before they reached Gallowgate
(woo woo, who who)

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
(who who)
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah, get down, baby
(who who, who who)

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what's confusing you
Is just the nature of my game
(woo woo, who who)

Just as every cost is criminal
But all my bonuses great
As heads is tails
Just call me Peter yeah
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint
(who who, who who)

So if you meet me
Have some courtesy
Have some sympathy, have some taste
(woo woo)
Use all your well-learned politesse
As I lay this club to waste, mmm yeah
(woo woo, woo woo)

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, mmm yeah
(who who)
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, mmm mean it, get down
(woo woo, woo woo)

Woo, who
Oh yeah, will bring ya down
Oh yeah
Oh yeah!
(woo woo)

Tell me baby, what's my name
Tell me Lenny, can ya guess my game
Tell me baby, what's my name
I tell you one time, you're to blame

Oh, who
woo, woo
Woo, who
Woo, woo
Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Oh, yeah

What's my name
Tell me, baby, what's my name
Tell me, sweetie, what's my name

Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Oh, yeah
Woo woo
Woo woo

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