it's lenny time

Dear NTV,

Whatever else determines Neil Lennon’s Celtic managerial career, age should not come into it. Neil Lennon is currently 39.

Alex Ferguson entered management at East Stirling aged just 32; Graeme Sounness took on the player manager’s role at Rangers when he was 33; Kenny Dalglish became player manager of Liverpool when he was 34; Jock Stein was 37 when he entered management with Dunfermline in 1960; Pep Guardiola with Barcelona and Jose Mourinho with Benfica were both 37 when they started their managerial careers. They started young and all were or are successful managers.

Neither Neil - or more importantly, the Celtic board - can use his age and inexperience as an excuse. He gives the impression of being a strong character, that is good. He will need to be strong and remain focussed as long as he is in command.

One thing in Neil Lennon’s favour is that unlike WGS his background will see him get more support from those among the support for whom being ‘Celtic minded’ is a big thing. One wonders how these ‘Celtic minded’ people would react should Rangers appoint people on the basis of their being, ‘Rangers Minded?’

That has already cut him some slack following defeats to Ross County and Braga, probably the two most
important fixtures he has had to negotiate as manager.

The supporters back him and we want him – as we would want all Celtic managers – to be a success. If Neil Lennon becomes a success as Celtic manager by leading the team to Championship and cup victories we will all celebrate.

Already he gives the impression of talking a better game than his predecessor, Mr Mowbray. Neil appears focussed but time, as always, will be the judge of how successful he is.

Given the number of new players it could be September before we start to gain a proper insight into how successful a Neil Lennon managed Celtic will be.Neil, we don’t ask for much. The domestic treble and a decent run in the Europa League would suffice for this season.

This season’s final of the Europa League is to be held in the new Aviva stadium in Dublin. Where better to celebrate a successful conclusion to your first full season as Celtic manager than by winning the Europa League in Dublin!

Neil, you have our backing, go to it.

GS
by email

 

poetry corner

Dear NTV,

It might have escaped your notice, but apart from having signed an ageing striker whose future is all in the past, Rangers have also captured the services of a poet, albeit not exactly John Keats.

Beattie’s works include some interesting titles, including some which he might like to recite now that he has joined the Death Star, such as ‘Retirement’, ‘The Hermit’, ‘The Triumph Of Melancholy’ and, perhaps the most poignant with regard to his latest career move, ‘Epitaph, Intended For Himself.’

Yours, wandering lonely as a crowd,

Rabi Burns (the Jewish Poet)
by email

while you’re directing traffic

Dear NTV,

One of the few joys of working next to the A40 in London is drifting off to sleep in a comfy office chair, coffee in hand as the monotonous trail of traffic flows into central London at a snail’s pace, except for the odd idiot who jumps the lights then provides great cabaret for the rest of the afternoon as their car is ‘T-boned’ by a similar idiot driving in the opposite direction.

Imagine my concern however when I was awoken from my slumbers to see the latest accident involved a lorry with the logo, ‘Huncargo’ emblazoned across the side.

NO!!! Unwashed mutants spewing across the carriage way, causing untold havoc to the good citizens of West London…..

Let’s hope this isn’t their only car crash this year.

Hail, Hail,

Greener
by email

 

80s retro

Dear NTV,

With the outbreak of 80s movies recently maybe its time the club got in on the action, heres a few to get them started...

Planes, Trains and Automobiles - A behind the scenes documentary of Celtic pre season preparations.

Crazy for You - The Scott Brown first name on the team sheet mystery finally revealed.

The Dead Zone - Celtic centre halves 2006-2010.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - The story of the Scottish football season 2009-2010 featuring Smith, Peat, Smith, Thompson, McDonald Brines and a cast of thousands.

Little Shop of Horrors - A horrifying behind the scenes look at Celtic Park half time grease shops.

Little Shop of Horrors II - The JJB/Rangers megastore story.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil - A follow up into the SFAs investigations into the weekly signing of racist songs by the majority of the rangers support.

None of the above is based on real characters and is purely fictional, any resemblance to real life persons is purely coincidental.

Graham
By email