Celtic have enjoyed some memorable Champions League nights under Neil Lennon in the past, but they won’t be adding to that collection for at least another year after Tuesday night’s defeat to CFR Cluj eliminated them from the competition.
When reflecting on that result afterwards, the Celtic manager said that the responsibility for the defeat rests collectively on him and the players.
Post-#CELCLU reaction from Neil Lennon.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 14, 2019
Lennon told the club’s official website CelticFC.net: “We all wanted Champions League football and we’ve only ourselves to blame for not getting that. We’ve been loose, and in the important moments of the game, we switched off. The players are bitterly disappointed, and we accept blame as a collective.”
The 48-year-old has masterminded some famous wins in the competition with Celtic in the past, most memorably the 2-1 victory over Barcelona in November 2012.
Lennon also presided over an impressive 3-2 win away to Spartak Moscow in the group stage that season, with Celtic ultimately making it to the last 16, and he was in charge for the dramatic comeback triumph against Shakhter Karagandy in 2013 that secured group stage qualification.
However, these Hoops supporters were fuming with Lennon over his tactics and team selection against CFR Cluj on Tuesday and laid the blame squarely at his door:
You pick the team it’s your fault no one else
— Jim Kerr (@JimKerr23) August 14, 2019
Lennon out fans don’t want him clueless I personally think he can’t be trusted in transfer market no faith in him out
— james fleming (@jamesfleming19) August 14, 2019
https://twitter.com/cfcfergus/status/1161580960313462786
https://twitter.com/pudpudboogie/status/1161578530414759936
Passing the buck. Playing our best holding midfielder at left back and leaving an actual £3m left back on the bench along with a £7m centre half. The start of a long list of anomalies from Lennon.
— Steven (@Durninho) August 14, 2019
Your the only person that needs to accept it your tactics were shocking and leaving sinclair out for morgan you need to take a good look at yourself neil
— celtic1888 (@Alan72640698) August 14, 2019
