Losing job is one thing, losing friends is quite another for hurt Neil Lennon as he considers conduct of former teammates
There were no words. There didn’t need to be. It was the former Celtic goalkeeper telling his pal that he had his back.
Not everyone from that side has been so supportive. Out of the ‘Seville-era’ team, as many as three could be accused of having kicked Lennon when he was down. The former Celtic manager accused Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Stiliyan Petrov, who surprisingly called for Lennon to be sacked last month, as having “sold their soul”.
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Hide AdSutton turns 48 next month, while Hartson celebrates his 46th birthday shortly afterwards. Lennon might not be among those rushing to send his best wishes.
Paul Lambert recently described the treatment of Lennon by some of his former teammates as "disgraceful" – he even phoned one up to make this point. He did then absolve those now working in the media from criticism – presumably Hartson and Sutton.
It is their job to broadcast such strong views at times, even at the risk of damaging previously close relationships. It’s something Lennon might come to accept since it’s likely he will occupy a pundit’s seat before his next managerial one. That’s no bad thing because he is an engaging analyst. As Graeme Souness, who worked with him for RTE said, “he knows his onions”.
Occupying such roles means not sitting on the fence. Only time will tell whether being reminded of this will help mend relationships between Lennon and some of his former teammates.
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