Neil Lennon asks supporters to "ease" off on protests with another planned for Celtic Park on Sunday

Neil Lennon is asking Celtic supporters to “take a step” back from further protests at Parkhead for the sake of the very ten-in-a-row title bid that has prompted them.

Neil Lennon has called for patience and not protests from Celtic supporters that he believes aren't helping the players or coaching staff. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Another gathering to air grievances is planned before the club’s hosting of Kilmarnock on Sunday. That follows on from the impromptu – and violent – flash mobs that have brayed for the end of Lennon and the Celtic board in the past two Sundays, these coming in the wake of the League Cup loss to Ross County and the dismal draw with St Johnstone leaving Celtic 13-points adrift of title rivals Rangers.

The Celtic Trust have organised a ‘covid compliant’ demonstration for the Kilmarnock fixture that they say will be about supporting the team and demanding change in how the club is run. The Irishman believes they serve little purpose at a club run so badly that they have money in the bank, and won the past 11 domestic trophies and nine consecutive titles.

Tensions have become inflamed over the club’s historic bid for an historic 10th straight championship faltering across a, so far, excruciating campaign. Asked if he felt the 3-2 victory over Lille on Thursday that ended a five-game run without a win for the club might douse the pyrotechnics, Lennon said: “I hope so,” he said. “I think it has to ease some of it off. I hope there is a bit of a step back.

“We’ve lost one game in the league this season. I know there’s a bit of work to be done to catch up but there are 24 games left. That’s two thirds of the campaign, there’s so much football left. All this stuff doesn’t help the players. It doesn’t help me or my backroom staff. We’re all working very hard to get back a level of performance and consistency. It’s difficult with everything that is going on. It’s just a little bit of patience that’s required.”

Patience with Lennon from the majority of the club’s support has evaporated leaving the 49-year-old in a difficult place. “I’m all right,” he said. “Sometimes things can get a bit over dramatic. People tend to blow things out of proportion. It’s not been an ideal situation, but I believe in what we are doing. It’s a tough audience in Glasgow.”

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