NEIL LENNON has accused some former teammates of stabbing him in the ‘front’ while he was Celtic manager. He really means that they criticised him, but he didn’t like it.

The club was in a state, and Lennon played a part in this. Of course, the manager of the club will be criticised when his club are twenty-five points adrift, and I don’t know why Lennon feels he shouldn’t be faulted.

Martin O’Neill has stood with Lennon, voicing his ‘disappointment’ that teammates criticised his former captain. The former Celtic manager, who led the team to Seville, said on PLZ;

“I mentioned to a couple of the players about that.

“I know everybody has to make a living in this life after football or if you happen to still be involved in the punditry aspect or whatever the case may be.

“But that can be very hurtful indeed, particularly people you know you’ve sat in the dressing room, cajoled and encouraged.

“You’ve been encouraged by these people as well and don’t get me wrong, Neil Lennon was a big leader, he might not have been captain too often in my time at Leicester or Celtic, but he was essentially captain in everything but the word.

“He was a big leader in the team so that’s really disappointing.”

Martin O’Neil is a loyal guy; I’ll give him that. He knows better than anyone that scrutiny is part and parcel of the job. Those analysing the game usually are ex-professionals; their job isn’t to defend their friend but to speak about what is happening on and off the pitch.

Lennon deserves all the criticism he gets, but time has moved on.

Celtic fans don’t want to keep repeating themselves talking about the disastrous season.

Fans have moved on, and so should Lennon and those still wanting to talk about it.