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'Neil Lennon's replacement will show Celtic's level of ambition' | Paul John Dykes

Paul John Dykes gave the Celtic fan's eye view after the departure of Neil Lennon as manager at P...



Soccer

'Neil Lennon's replacement will show Celtic's level of ambition' | Paul John Dykes


Paul John Dykes gave the Celtic fan's eye view after the departure of Neil Lennon as manager at Parkhead on Wednesday.

Dykes spoke about the circumstances of Lennon's exit, and the fan unrest that has pockmarked a disastrous season for Celtic.

Neil Lennon

"We could actually look at the first tenure under Neil Lennon compared to the first. Someone on the podcast said he is an analogue manager in a digital football world," said Dykes, host of 'A Celtic State of Mind' podcast.

"First time around, we had Anthony Stokes up front. If Neil Lennon shouts and screams at Anthony Stokes in the dressing room then he will get a response from him. If he tries that with Odsonne Edouard, straight out of the PSG academy, he will down tools and won't try a leg, which is what happened.

"Some of his previous players [...] have all said that Neil Lennon did not place much emphasis on tactics. In 2021, that is suicide.

"We have an inexperienced management team at Rangers who are led by Steven Gerrard - with Michael Beale and Gary McAllister - and they figured out very early on how to play Celtic. That was key."

Replacements

With Lennon gone, thoughts turn to his replacement. With John Kennedy due to take temporary charge at Parkhead, will he be up to the job?

"We're in a similar situation to 2010 [when Lennon was first appointed], John has got eight games, he is a highly-rated coach.

"But Celtic fans want a wholesale change. So when Neil Lennon stood down, Celtic fans want the entire coaching staff to follow him. John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan are working with those players every day on the training ground [...] John Kennedy is also culpable.

"I hope it is only a temporary appointment for John."

So who would fit the bill?

"Celtic fans are looking at managers like Eddie Howe, Rafa Benitez has been mentioned. As have Roberto Martinez and Shaun Moloney.

"These are top-end managers who I am sure will also be chase by clubs down south, so whatever the appointment is, it will indicate the level of ambition of the new board and the CEO coming in in the summer."

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