Fan pressure increases on Celtic boss Neil Lennon as odds slashed on potential replacement

Neil Lennon has come in for criticism from Celtic fans. Picture: SNS

The Parkhead boss criticised his players in the aftermath of the defeat, questing their application and hunger.

Celtic are bottom of their group with just one point from three games making it increasingly unlikely they will reach the knockout phase.

The team have won just one of their last six fixtures and have fallen nine points behind Rangers in the league, albeit with two games in hand.

Last month Lennon hit out at the “hysteria” around the team’s poor form and said there was “no justification” for his job to be under threat.

"It's media-driven, there's no question,” he said at the time. “I have seen two newspapers run polls on whether I should get sacked or not. I have never seen it before in 20 years I have been here.

"There's no justification for me to be sacked. None whatsoever. If things start to deteriorate rapidly, I'll hold my hands up and say, 'this isn't working, we need to look at something else'. But at the moment we're nowhere near that."

Fan view

Eddie Howe left Bournemouth in August. Picture: SNS

Thursday’s defeat, the manner of it and Lennon’s comments to the media afterwards didn’t sit well with some fans.

One fan tweeted: “Key matches lost, no game plan, backroom staff clueless, playing out of form players & Lennon comes out with “I don’t know where this has come from”. Mowbray and Deila went for less. For me your time is up Neil. Thanks for all that came before this but you are done.”

Another said: “Consider me fully melted down. Brown, Duffy, Lennon out.”

"Can’t defend the players tonight, says Lennon. Take some responsibility, man,” noted one supporter.

"Everything he says here is indicative of his poor coaching methods,” said another. “The problem is, Neil, you've succeeded in changing the culture in the dressing room for the worse. Not good enough, Ronny Deila was chased for less.”

One supporter outlined the different frustrating aspects:

"-Tactically non existent.

-No shape.

-No idea how to defend simple crosses or one-two counter attacks.

-No fluidity in attack.

-No encouragement or instructions from the dugout.

-No self awareness.

-No clue.”

A number of fans leapt to Lennon's defence and questioned the players.

"Too easy to point the blame at Lennon and want him sacked. Blame lies with the players 100%,” said one supporter.

A fan noted: "I agree with everything he says. But I don't know if I believe he is the one to make the changes.”

Another said: “Why does it always have to be manager out. What if these same players don’t like the next manager. I was disgusted with Edouard’s performance tonight, he looked lazy and apathetic. Our manager needs to start playing the players with the same hunger he has.”

Bookies favourite

Last month, the bookies were running a market for the next Celtic manager with David Moyes the favourite.

Now ex-Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is 11/10 favourite with Betfair and Paddy Power.

The Englishman left the Cherries by mutual consent in August after the club’s relegation to the Championship.

Lennon takes his Celtic side to Motherwell on Saturday in the Scottish Premiership.