Neil Lennon - The Lowest Common Denominator

[Frankie 8,843]

Almost a week after last Wednesday's Old Firm replay, the fall-out from the match is still being seen throughout the country. Whether it be at football games, in the media, comment from a variety of authorities or even within the Scottish Government, the reaction is as predictable as it is exaggerated.

 

Let's be straight right now: when you have players sent off; strong physical tackles; arguments with officials; managers falling out and fans screaming their heads off; that is football. And exciting football at that - the kind of product TV stations will pay big money for; the kind of product which keeps Scottish Football's greatest game in the public eye all over the world. Of course you don't want to read of arrests afterwards where people actually take the game more seriously than it ever should but a minimal amount of convictions within hundreds of thousands of citizens is hardly the end of the world (or unpoliceable surely)?

 

This makes the reaction to the controversy all the more interesting to examine. Indeed, a quick look at the media since the game will see you forgiven if you think El Hadji Diouf is some kind of devil. Despite being on the periphery of the game for most of the match (though fouled quite regularly without the same referee interest that resulted in a irregularly large Rangers discipline count), he's been made the scapegoat for most of what happened.

 

Obviously he's far from blameless. A daft nudge on the Celtic physio and a few handbag confrontations with those of a Celtic persuasion means it isn't difficult to question his contribution to the heat of the match. As such, it wasn't a surprise to see him sent-off and I doubt many reasonable bears will defend his part in what happened. However, one must take into account the provocation he's been under. Clear racist abuse from the Parkhead stands (albeit minimal) along with childish incitement from the Celtic captain and management team means even if Diouf doesn't go looking for bother, it will find him.

 

To that end, it is interesting to examine the Celtic manager's contribution to this debate. As a player, Lennon was similar to Diouf - almost a carbon copy in fact.

 

He liked to goad other players, liked to spit in the direction of opposition fans, was sent off after accosting referees, dived/faked injury to deceive officials, enjoyed approaching his own fans after defeat and according to at least one court-approved lip-reader called the Rangers bench cheating orange bastards during one particularly stormy match in late 2004. Juxtapose this professional behaviour with his personal life treatment of pregnant girlfriends and flouting of driving laws then you have the kind of individual that not only attracts trouble but someone who deliberately seeks and creates it. Certainly an individual far from the perennial victim the less objective sections of the media wish to paint him as.

 

It wasn't long after Lennon's alleged sectarian behaviour in 2004 that Celtic awarded him a hefty new contract and then made him captain. His conduct didn't improve though with red cards and the disrespecting of officials still an issue as his career ran down. No matter though, his bad-boy reputation amongst Celtic fans was acceptable to them - and once again the Celtic board - as he was later appointed coach then manager of the club. 'Like me and you, Lenny's a provo too' the supporter song does say I guess!

 

When one examines his actions as a player it isn't a surprise that Lennon now struggles to manage the club with the kind of dignity such an influential position deserves. Regular arguments with officials, the continual inference of cheating against his club, violent confrontations with opposition staff - the list goes on and I think we all know it will be added to as long as this particular martyr remains part of Celtic Football Club.

 

As such, when the Scottish Government convene their hasty 'summit' next week; perhaps they'll take into account all of the ongoing behaviour detailed above. Sure, less than likeable characters like El Hadji Diouf rightly need no defence when their contribution is examined. However, if you want the one lowest common denominator for the trouble which accompanies Old Firm fixtures of the 21st Century, then it has been there all along.

 

Worryingly this clear instigator of trouble hasn't been punished over the years but indeed defended, excused and rewarded for his actions. Even last week Celtic didn't criticise their manager for encroaching onto the field of play to remonstrate with Diouf (precipitating the out of character actions of Ally McCoist who has an MBE for his contribution to sport) but once again ignored this chancer's unacceptable attitude. Meanwhile Stewart Regan's new 'tough' SFA prevaricated and reduced a touchline ban on appeal. Is it any wonder Lennon (and Celtic) feel they can say and do what they like?

 

To conclude, El Hadji Diouf may be one symptom of the current controversy which needs addressed but if you want the cause for the ongoing disease itself then you only need look at the Parkhead home dugout and the regular hate and intolerance emanating from the Celtic manager.

 

Why do so many people run scared of this particular 'remarkable human being'?

[Frankie 8,843]

Should be #1 on NewsNow in the next hour...

 

If anyone fancies writing for the main site and getting their opinions published online via NewsNow, Twitter and Facebook amongst others; please get in touch!

 

Cheers!

[Zappa 0]

Should be #1 on NewsNow in the next hour...

 

Great read as ever Frankie.

 

If anyone fancies writing for the main site and getting their opinions published online via NewsNow, Twitter and Facebook amongst others; please get in touch!

 

I posted an article in the writers section last week since I didn't want to just go ahead and publish it to the main site, but nobody has responded, so I can only assume that it went down like a lead balloon...

[Frankie 8,843]

I just noticed it today mate but assumed you had posted and published it...

 

Apologies for missing it.

[Zappa 0]

No worries mate. I didn't want to just go ahead and publish something I'd written myself.

 

Anyway, you've got a lot of hits on this article! I noticed elsewhere that it's sparked off a fair old debate about whether or not there's CCTV cameras in the Ibrox tunnel.