Stubborn Lennon not for wavering

SOCCER:Not one for backing down, the Celtic manager has endured sectarianism as both a player and manager, writes KEVIN MCCARRA

A MANAGER counting down the hours to a crucial match that could win the league title might normally be glad of a distraction – but Neil Lennon has too much to occupy his thoughts this weekend.

The 39-year-old, in his first season as manager of Celtic, was one of three people associated with the club who were sent parcel bombs this year. Yesterday, two men were charged under the Explosive Substances Act.

Already this week, during Celtic’s win over Heart of Midlothian in Edinburgh, a supporter tried to attack Lennon in front of the dugout, and the manager defended himself with some vigour. John Wilson, a 26-year-old from Edinburgh, was charged with breach of the peace and assault, aggravated by religious prejudice.

The following day, a parcel addressed to the Celtic manager containing a bullet was intercepted at the club’s ground.

Lennon has experienced a degree of antagonism unprecedented even in the divided world of Scottish football, but his stubbornness has not wavered.

“I don’t walk alone,” the manager tweeted soon after Wednesday’s match.

His treatment has raised serious concerns for the Glasgow-based anti-sectarian charity, Nil By Mouth.

“The events of this Scottish football season are unprecedented, and the combination of round-the-clock coverage and internet messageboards has added to a nasty undercurrent of suspicion between football fans,” a spokesperson said yesterday.

“That a person attempts to assault a football manager; that parcel bombs and live ammunition are sent in the post and unsavoury chants are heard in a stadium, indicates that this is no laughing matter. The day when sectarianism is a forgotten part of Scotland’s history cannot come soon enough. It must be stopped.”

Throughout his career, Lennon has suffered an extraordinary amount of hostility. He ended his international career with Northern Ireland after receiving death threats inspired by his supposed enthusiasm for a united Ireland. Since Celtic bought him as a player from Leicester City in 2000, Lennon has spent all but one season in Scotland, despite the intermittent enmity.

Specifically, he is attached to the west end of Glasgow with its appealing restaurants and cafes. Lennon was attacked there by two men in 2008 and beaten unconscious after Rangers beat Celtic.

Unjustifiable as the aggression is, it is intriguing that he is so demonised. He seldom avoids a challenge, and nor does he pretend that he is aloof from the rivalry.

Following a Scottish Cup-tie this season at Ibrox, where Celtic took a valuable draw, Lennon cupped a hand to his ear to indicate that he could no longer hear the Rangers fans.

As a player, he was the sort of tenacious midfielder adored by his own club’s followers and loathed by opposing fans, who branded him a thug. He was never the type to avoid squaring up to an opponent.

He was signed for Celtic by Martin O’Neill, also a Catholic and former Northern Ireland international, and some note that O’Neill avoided the sort of trouble encountered by Lennon.

But the contrast between the detached O’Neill and Lennon is overstated. Following a loss to Rangers at Ibrox in 2004, the then manager grabbed Lennon and marched him towards the Celtic fans.

“I had a right to show some support,” O’Neill said. “He was verbally abused in a racial and sectarian manner.”

In some regards, the two Glasgow clubs’ relationship is less savage than it once was. This season, they have met seven times, making it difficult for any one victory to be seen as looming over an entire year. Perhaps, too, the overall environment has altered as Scotland, with its parliament and Alex Salmond as a popular first minister, aspires to be a more mature place.

Paul Brennan runs the Celtic Quick News website, a forum for often sophisticated debate about the club, and feels encouraged by the general trends. His sympathy for Lennon does not make him pessimistic overall, although he is aghast at the recent episodes.

“I’ve met people who are not even football supporters but have a real dislike for him,” said Brennan. “He is portrayed as some kind of demon when he’s really quite a quiet guy. The Rangers people and other managers get on great with him.”

Even so, Brennan does not regard the situation as typifying the modern Scotland.

“I am absolutely convinced,” he said, “that the situation is better than it has ever been. There is warmth and affection among most people in Scottish football.”

However, there will be little camaraderie in a weekend which may well see Rangers edge out Celtic for the title.