Neil Lennon was asked about some of the players’ state of mind during a difficult period for the club and the world in general. Navigating through the season under the trials and tribulations of a pandemic does bring up issues which have rarely or never been encountered before during a football season.
One journalist asked specifically about Shane Duffy and how he was coping with the level of criticism he’s come in for this season. The Celtic manager claimed he, himself, has been shocked by the level of criticism aimed at the club and staff this campaign.
“I think I’ve been on the record saying I’ve actually been to a couple of the player’s homes, to check on them and make sure they’re ok.” Lennon told Celtic TV.
“They’re going through a difficult period, the level of criticism is something I’ve not experienced before either.
“If it’s a shock to me, you know it must be so difficult for them to comprehend not having been here before, so yeah I’ve spoken to a few of them individually, they all seem in decent spirits at the minute”
The heat was on this season, and we have never really got going. Add to that, Celtic fans can’t get into the ground and frustrations have boiled over big time.
The club hasn’t helped themselves with being the opposite of transparent through the season. They have kept the fans at arm’s length and treated many like they have overreacted to Celtic’s massive fall in such a short space of time.
Criticism on social media has been very prevalent because the club continues to block fans out. We must distinguish abuse from criticism though, the fans personally abusing Celtic players and staff online aren’t indicative of the support as a whole. I feel like the people with legitimate criticism this season are being lumped in with online abuse; almost being portrayed as the lunatic fringe.
This is a fan base who have poured their heart and soul into this club and this journey for the past nine years; you have to be able to understand criticism coming your way when you not only fault to meet a historic objective but, utterly blow the opportunity.
