ian1964 10,409 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 NEIL Lennon claimed Celtic’s crushing 4-1 Champions League qualifying defeat to Legia Warsaw in Poland was on the cards as he admitted lack of investment “may have been one of the reasons” he departed the club in the summer. The Northern Irishman left Parkhead after winning three league titles and two Scottish Cups in four years, to be replaced by former Stromsgodset boss Ronny Deila, whose honeymoon period ended abruptly in the Pepsi Arena. With group stage aspirations up in the air, the spotlight has fallen on the strength of the Celtic squad. It has been augmented so far by former Hearts and Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon, who was out of contract and is currently third choice, and Norwegian forward Jo Inge Berget, who was signed on a six-month loan deal from Cardiff City and who made his debut against Legia. Speaking to STV, Lennon addressed the issue of investment at the Parkhead club in regard to his decision to leave. “I had my own reasons for leaving and they were varying,” said the former Hoops captain. “I had four great years and 14 great years as a player, coach and manager. It was time for me to move on personally, the club understood that and I had great people in the background working with me. “It wasn’t the sole reason but it may have been one of the reasons.” Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live earlier in the day, Lennon discussed his successor’s plight following the heavy defeat by Legia, which could have been worse had the home side not missed two penalties. “I wouldn’t say it was inevitable but I think it might have been on the cards,” he said. “There has been no investment at the minute in the team and Ronny hasn’t had much time to bed himself in with (assistant manager) John Collins and get to know the players. “Those qualifiers are always really tricky. It took me a year or two and I remember Gordon Strachan in his first year (as manager) losing 5-0 in Bratislava, he won the second leg 4-0 but it was too big a gap to recover. “So it can happen. “They are not out of the tie but they are going to have to play supremely well to get through now.” The night had started well for Celtic when midfielder Callum McGregor put the visitors ahead after seven minutes but a double from Miroslav Radovic and the dismissal of Parkhead defender Efe Ambrose just before the break turned the match firmly in Legia’s favour. In a remarkable second-half captain Ivica Vrdoljak spurned two penalties conceded by Hoops skipper Charlie Mulgrew - missing the target with the first with Fraser Forster saving the other - but Michal Zyro and Jakub Kosecki added further goals to heap pressure on the Hoops ahead of next week. If Deila’s side fail to overturn their first-leg deficit they will drop into the play-off round for the Europa League. While believing that Celtic can still rescue the tie, Lennon insists it will not be disastrous if the Scottish champions miss out on European football’s elite club competition this season. “Champions League football is always important,” he said. “It gives the fans and players something to look forward to as well but the club is financially healthy. “They can maybe take the hit if they don’t make the Champions League this year. “I don’t think it will be disastrous for them in the long run.” http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/celtic-s-legia-defeat-on-cards-claims-lennon-1-3495269 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barca72 440 Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Prick then, prick now, prick forever. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,409 Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barca72 440 Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 The efforts of TGFITW was like pharting against thunder. Bring back Lenny-bhoy. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 743 Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Tottenham stuffed them 6-1 In a friendly yesterday 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whosthedado 1,487 Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Tottenham stuffed them 6-1 In a friendly yesterday It was a second string team to be fair.................................... Wait a minute be fair to them nah :D Ambrose got sent off again too 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,409 Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Celtic defender Efe Ambrose to dodge domestic ban despite seeing red for second time in four days CELTIC stopper Efe Ambrose was saved from a suspension following his red card in the Bhoys friendly drubbing against Spurs yesterday, when the referee decided not to mention the Nigerian's sending off in his official match report. SHAKY Celtic defender Efe Ambrose will dodge a domestic ban despite his second red card in four days. The Nigerian was sent off in the final eight minutes of the Hoops’ 6-1 slump to Spurs in Helsinki. It follows hard on the heels of his dismissal against Legia Warsaw that sees him banned for the crucial second leg on Wednesday night. But Finnish ref Antti Munnukka will NOT include the incident in his official match report because the game was a friendly. That means the SFA cannot impose any suspension, as they were obliged to do when Charlie Mulgrew was sent off in similar circumstances against Ajax two years ago. Celtic assistant boss John Collins said: “That’s good news and a relief for Efe and for us. “He was actually playing well and it was a harsh red card but I’m not going to talk about the ref. It’s irrelevant in the big picture.” Celtic’s big picture – their attempted comeback against Legia – saw boss Ronny Deila and most of the first team stay in Glasgow, leaving Collins to marshall a team packed with teenagers against a Spurs side packed with big names. The No.2 added: “This game was arranged in February and circumstances have meant we’ve had to come out here with a young team. “Against a Premier League team full of pace, power, quality, and a new manager to impress, it’s a massive step up from the Scottish youth league. “It’s an experience and an education. You learn from playing against good players. “It’s painful but there were patches where we passed it and were brave on the ball. Liam Henderson had a great game. “He was in tight situations, three and four goals down and still wanted the ball.” http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-defender-efe-ambrose-dodge-3964267 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueflag 378 Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Ridiculous they can get away with the red card not being reported. Must admit not surprising 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian1964 10,409 Posted August 3, 2014 Share Posted August 3, 2014 Ridiculous they can get away with the red card not being reported. Must admit not surprising I wonder if that had happened to Bohsni would the BHEASTS complain?,would they chase the ref out of the game demanding he be sacked? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,234 Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 The Yahoos are currently 1-0 down at "home", 2nd half just started. More prominent victims thus far ... Maccabi Tel Aviv, Panathinaikos, Sparta Prague (vs Malmö). Feyenoord (currently 2-5 vs Besiktas) also look EL bound. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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