Andy Walker has launched a scathing attack on the Celtic board, branding them 'arrogant' over their refusal to take Rangers' title bid seriously by appointing Neil Lennon as manager.
Lennon was handed the job on a permanent basis after stepping in for Brendan Rodgers on an initial short-term to try and secure the treble. And, after successfully managing to do just that, the hierarchy in Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell handed their former boss the reins for a second time.
Meanwhile, across the city, Steven Gerrard was building a Rangers outfit capable of challenging for the Premiership. A side who this season are dominating the campaign, sitting 11 points ahead at the top of the table and bulldozing opposition.
Celtic's results have, on the other side of the coin, been dreadful with just two wins in 10 and last Sunday's defeat to Ross County in the Betfred Cup was the last straw for some fans who protested outside Parkhead for Lennon's removal. Walker was embarrassed to see the ugly scenes, but speaking on Sky Sports, the former Hoops striker admitted he could see where their frustration stemmed from.
"Peter Lawwell, the chief executive, has called for unity and insists 'there is no complacency whatsoever' at the club. I beg to differ," Walker said. "It's extremely complacent to replace a manager of the calibre of Brendan Rodgers by appointing an out-of-work manager in Lennon and not allowing him any coaching staff of his own.
"It's also arrogant to completely disregard the growing threat of your one and only rival for the title. Too many people at Celtic have been laughing at Rangers for too long and didn't take the progress under Steven Gerrard seriously.
"Why do the Celtic fans see a change as necessary? Well, despite an extraordinary financial advantage, their team has been eliminated from the Champions League, Europa League and Scottish League Cup before December having spent millions on players who can't get a game. "Like I've said, management is brutal and unforgiving and it's the job of a manager to get results. As Lennon said himself on Wednesday, I would have understood had he been sacked after the League Cup exit to Ross County.
"If Lennon turns things around and somehow gets his players back onside, I'll be the first to admit I got it wrong and acknowledge what a remarkable job he has done. But what if Dermot Desmond and the Celtic board are blindly sticking by him, refusing to bow to mob rule but ignoring the obvious out of spite?"
Walker has praised Lennon's work in the past for delivering trophies as Celtic manager. But he no longer believes the current crop of players are working their hardest for the manager.
That's why he hopes the board have a plan in place should they finally have to get rid of their boss. "I don't think Lennon will be successful with these players," he added. "For the avoidance of doubt, the only trophy that matters for the Celtic fans this season is the title and not the two Scottish cups that are available in the space of six months. Do they have a succession plan? Surely they are thinking of options? Are they doing their homework behind the scenes as to who might be available? What kind of manager will succeed Lennon if they do eventually make a change?
"Does he have to be out of work? Who is the next, younger version of Rodgers, a coach who has a track record of improving players, getting results and playing good football?
"Rodgers was a huge success. Remember this, when he left, Celtic got £9m in compensation. In effect, the success he brought over three seasons cost nothing. "Players have had a platform at Celtic recently to play well, be successful in front of an adoring crowd and eventually move to a bigger and richer league.
"Celtic should sell the managers' job in the same way. Come to a competitive league in Glasgow, qualify for the Champions League and bring success and you too can move to a bigger, stronger and more competitive league.
"Sadly, I doubt any of those questions have crossed their minds."
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