At the end of the day, football is a results business and nothing more than that. However, despite masterminding a win yesterday, Neil Lennon did more to prove he’s not the man to take the Bhoys forward long term as he almost cost the home side an Old Firm victory with his bizarre in-game changes and lack of decent management.
74′ – Having already made three substitutes Celtic are now reduced to 10 men as well after Dedryck Boyata hobbles off with an injury.
– #CELRAN
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) 31 March 2019
The Hoops were struggling to make the most of their one-man advantage in the second half as Alfredo Morelos had been sent off in the first-half, and Neil Lennon’s naivety saw them sacrifice the one advantage they had. Dedryck Boyata suffered an injury after all three substitutions had been made, leaving the home side reduced to ten men in the same way that the Gers had been in the opening 45 minutes.
Of the three subs that the Hoops made, only one of them was entirely necessary. When Jonny Hayes was hooked at the break it left plenty of the Bhoys baffled, and then when Lennon opted to withdraw Olivier Ntcham for Tom Rogic it raised more question marks. All it took from there was injuries to Boyata and Keiran Tierney for the final sub to made and the home side’s numerical advantage to be wiped, and the home crowd were quick to blame Lennon for the blunder.
You can read the Hoops’ verdict on Lennon’s changes here:
https://twitter.com/CrillyBobc/status/1112332789431582721
Why the hell was johnny Hayes taken off at half time? It’s made a huge change to the game!
— Angela Guy (@AngelaGuy15) 31 March 2019
https://twitter.com/SloneySteve/status/1112333634596466688
Canny watch it. Lennys subs are bizzare.
— Kevin Hendrie (@KevinHendrie3) March 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/pwk74/status/1112334360655642624
Lennon’s tactics are strange. Get the Tierney substitution. However why use all three before 75 minutes are up. Now down to ten men and a poor performance
— Billy (@Billy76583869) March 31, 2019
https://twitter.com/Garysinnocent/status/1112333922875125760
The Hoops were far from happy with Neil Lennon yesterday and whilst he’s done a great job so far, he most certainly isn’t the man to take the job on permanently in the summer.
