Neil Lennon has stood by the Celtic board amidst criticism after the January transfer window, sparking debate over the effectiveness of fan protests like the banner displayed at Pittodrie.
Celtic’s drew with Aberdeen, which reduced their lead at the top of the table to just three points following Rangers’ victory over Livingston, and the acquisitions of Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah have not entirely met supporters’ desires for high-calibre signings.
Addressing the dissatisfaction and the pointed message from fans, Lennon suggested that attempts to secure top-tier talent are often more complicated than perceived. Speaking to PLZ Soccer, he indicated the challenges of attracting star players to the Scottish league, especially without the allure of Champions League football. “How do we know that Celtic haven’t tried to spend £10-12 million on a player? Or £15 million? Can we attract players of that quality, of that price to Scotland?” Lennon questioned, defending the scouting team’s efforts.
He further commented on the factors that affect success in the transfer market, from player availability to their willingness to move, and the impact of the team’s status in European competitions. “They might not be available. They might not want to come. The fact that they are out of the Champions League, it might not be as appealing as it was at the start of the season as well,” Lennon said, suggesting that the board’s investment strategy is sometimes limited by factors outside their control.
Lennon also reflected on the subjective nature of player valuation among fans versus the club’s decisions. “Whether the fans think they are good enough or not is another thing. That’s then a matter of opinion and it has nothing to do with the board’s decision to spend the money or not,” he explained, reminding everyone of the club’s recent achievements, including a treble win.
His perspective offers insight into the internal and external challenges faced by football clubs in the transfer market, particularly in leagues where financial and competitive factors restrict the pool of potential signings.
However, Lennon’s close connections to the board might influence his views. Largely the same fans who are currently disgruntled were also highly critical of Neil Lennon during the Covid season where the board stayed loyal to the Irishman to a fault.
Used to love Lennie but he is lawwells wee poodle. Shut tfu
Agree. This is not just about the last two windows, this is about the failure to consistently build from a position of strength. We are being pushed, and have lost a league to a financial doped club who are skint. All the pi*h about not being able to attract talent is exactly that. Pi*h.