Neil Lennon’s passion and dedication were definitely key traits that endeared him to Celtic fans during his playing and managerial days. His commitment to the club’s success and his fiery enthusiasm, especially when he took over as manager in 2010, left a lasting impression on the fans. His famous words about bringing back the thunder resonated deeply with the supporters, symbolizing his determination to revive the club’s winning spirit and dominance.
Neil Lennon indeed made a significant impact in his debut season as Celtic manager, securing the Scottish Cup and narrowly missing out on the league title by a single point. The subsequent Glasgow Derbies in his pursuit of redemption were pivotal.
Regarding the flashpoint at Celtic Park involving Lennon and McCoist, it’s worth recalling the context. Celtic had lost 4-2 to Ally McCoist’s Rangers in September, leaving them trailing by four points.
However, when they clashed again at Celtic Park in December, only one point separated the teams. Celtic’s 1-0 victory, courtesy of a Joe Ledley goal, propelled them to the top of the table, sparking a heated confrontation between Lennon and McCoist post-match.
On talkSPORT this morning, both Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist discussed the infamous spat that made national headlines and drew intervention from the Scottish Government.
McCoist: “By the way, just on that footnote, it was me that paid for the beers. What do you think?’
Lennon: “You’re asking the wrong man because Browny was too busy nosing up El Hadj Diouf all night as those two were going at it hammer and tongs as well!”
McCoist: “By the way, you are not wrong! It was him that started it and you and I ended up with the Government having an argument about us!”
Lennon: “You and I ended up getting the blame for it all!”
After that incident-packed season, Celtic clinched the league title, setting the stage for a successful run that included a second nine-in-a-row achievement, marking a significant era for the club. This success laid the foundation for the historic Quadruple Treble.
Neil Lennon’s tenure saw remarkable success with numerous silverware victories and notable performances in European competitions, solidifying his legacy at Celtic. Meanwhile, Ally McCoist faced well-documented challenges during his time at Rangers, contrasting with Celtic’s period of dominance under Lennon’s leadership.