uneasydaz
Well-Known Member
NEIL Lennon says the Celtic supporters who called for his sacking in chaotic scenes outside Parkhead on Sunday evening ultimately "served no purpose" - as he insisted the club's hierarchy are "not near the point" where they have a decision to make about his future.
The Northern Irishman typically tackled his issues head on as he addressed the media ahead of tomorrow night's Europa League meeting with AC Milan.
He insisted the club are "nowhere near the point" where chief executive Peter Lawwell and major shareholder Dermot Desmond have a decision to make about his future.
Indeed, he believes they are only a "flick of a switch" away from getting back on track.
It all begins as Celtic take on AC Milan in the daunting surroundings of the San Siro - a stadium in which they have NEVER won.
Lennon said: "On the scenes on Sunday, we were disappointed, hurt.
"I understand the frustrations of the supporters because ultimately we aren't on a great run at the moment.
"But it serves no purpose, particularly for the players.
"I am old enough and big enough to take criticism and abuse. Some of it is justified, some of it is over the top.
"That is the role of a manager. That is the responsibility you have to bear.
"We are all in agreement that we must do better. And we have to do that with results and performances.
"It only takes a flick of a switch
I think we are lacking a bit of confidence, a little bit of belief at the minute. But it can turn around very quickly, then it is baby steps after that, build, build, build build.
"But tomorrow we are looking for a performance and a result to start with.
"For 20 years from my own point of view i have done everything in my power to bring success to the club and the fans.
"That is not going to change just on the run of a bad month or people being upset about my style of management if I can say that. And they don't know what it is, they are just sort of voicing their opinions.
"I look to the players as well, they are working so hard to turn it around and they are feeling it a little bit so they need my support as well."
As for his relationship with Lawwell and Desmond, he insisted that the club remains "strong" and that durability is a key principle.
"We talk about the game, talk about the players, talk about the results.
"Obviously, we also talk about the values that we have, the durability that the club has.
"We are strong, we are not in great shape at the minute in terms of results and performances but I have a great relationship with them.
"It doesn't count for anything if results keep going the wrong way because then they have a decision to make but we are not near that point yet.
"They believe in me and I believe in what we are trying to do. I believe in my backroom staff as well.
"It sounds like I am repeating myself time and again but we do believe we will turn it around."
The Northern Irishman typically tackled his issues head on as he addressed the media ahead of tomorrow night's Europa League meeting with AC Milan.
He insisted the club are "nowhere near the point" where chief executive Peter Lawwell and major shareholder Dermot Desmond have a decision to make about his future.
Indeed, he believes they are only a "flick of a switch" away from getting back on track.
It all begins as Celtic take on AC Milan in the daunting surroundings of the San Siro - a stadium in which they have NEVER won.
Lennon said: "On the scenes on Sunday, we were disappointed, hurt.
"I understand the frustrations of the supporters because ultimately we aren't on a great run at the moment.
"But it serves no purpose, particularly for the players.
"I am old enough and big enough to take criticism and abuse. Some of it is justified, some of it is over the top.
"That is the role of a manager. That is the responsibility you have to bear.
"We are all in agreement that we must do better. And we have to do that with results and performances.
"It only takes a flick of a switch
I think we are lacking a bit of confidence, a little bit of belief at the minute. But it can turn around very quickly, then it is baby steps after that, build, build, build build.
"But tomorrow we are looking for a performance and a result to start with.
"For 20 years from my own point of view i have done everything in my power to bring success to the club and the fans.
"That is not going to change just on the run of a bad month or people being upset about my style of management if I can say that. And they don't know what it is, they are just sort of voicing their opinions.
"I look to the players as well, they are working so hard to turn it around and they are feeling it a little bit so they need my support as well."
As for his relationship with Lawwell and Desmond, he insisted that the club remains "strong" and that durability is a key principle.
"We talk about the game, talk about the players, talk about the results.
"Obviously, we also talk about the values that we have, the durability that the club has.
"We are strong, we are not in great shape at the minute in terms of results and performances but I have a great relationship with them.
"It doesn't count for anything if results keep going the wrong way because then they have a decision to make but we are not near that point yet.
"They believe in me and I believe in what we are trying to do. I believe in my backroom staff as well.
"It sounds like I am repeating myself time and again but we do believe we will turn it around."
