Following a disheartening 2-0 defeat at home to Hearts, former Celtic manager and player Neil Lennon has issued a stark warning to fans: “Be careful what you wish for.” This statement comes in the wake of increasing frustration among season ticket holders, evident from chants of “sack the board” echoing around the stadium.

Celtic’s recent run of lacklustre performances has raised serious concerns among its supporters. The crux of the discontent seems to centre around the club’s direction since the summer, attributed largely to what many perceive as poor recruitment strategies. Critics argue that the ‘old boys’ network at board level is hindering progress and blocking innovative approaches to the club’s advancement.

Amid this turmoil, Lennon’s comments bring a different perspective. He emphasizes the importance of majority shareholder Dermot Desmond’s role in the club’s success, reminding fans of the two decades of dominance under Desmond’s tenure. “Since Dermot came in, it has been domination for 20 years… sometimes you need to be careful what you wish for,” Lennon cautioned talking to PLZ Soccer.

While it’s undeniable that Celtic has been a force to reckon with domestically, the club’s performance in Europe has been a different story. Fans have long desired for Celtic to set its sights higher, using European competition as the benchmark. However, there’s a growing perception that the board’s ambitions are limited to outperforming our local rivals, rather than making a significant impact on the European stage.

Next season’s Champions League presents a golden opportunity, yet there’s a palpable fear that Celtic’s current trajectory could lead to missed opportunities. The stakes are high, with the potential financial windfall from the new Champions League format being substantial enough to significantly alter the Scottish football landscape if anyone other than Celtic gets the keys to the money pot.