Pat Bonner and Michael Stewart deliver damning verdicts on Celtic manager Neil Lennon

Tue 12 January 2021 12:47, UK

He was not in attendance on Monday night but the pressure has grown on Neil Lennon after Celtic suffered another blow to their dangling title hopes, with a 1-1 draw against Hibernian – and both Pat Bonner and Michael Stewart think it is time to go.

Celtic went into Monday night’s match at Parkhead after being heavily criticised for travelling to Dubai – a decision which has forced 14 players to self-isolate after Christopher Jullien tested positive. Lennon and assistant John Kennedy, included.

It mean Gavin Strachan took the reigns on Monday and it looked as if a much-weakened Celtic might have just nabbed all three points when David Turnbull curled the ball into the top corner from a free-kick. But Kevin Nisbet equalised in injury time.

It sees Celtic miss the chance to close the gap between themselves and Rangers, which has now stretched to 21 points. 10 in a row looks over, as does Lennon’s future at the club – at least according to both Bonner and Stewart on

(Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Stewart said: “I don’t see Neil Lennon being the manager at Celtic next season. That’s just my gut feeling. It’s only a matter of time before a change is made, and it’ll be when they feel they have the right person to move it forward.”

Bonner added: “They’ve got to make some big decisions now. I think all chairman and all boards – even if you’re doing well – will be looking to the future. If they are, they’ve got to get the new person in soon.”

TBR’s view – It is time for Lennon to go, and the board must decide now

Celtic’s season has one controversy to the next and the decision to go to Dubai was a ridiculous one. Not only has it increased the spotlight on an underperforming team, but it has also backfired with half the team missing.

Even if that was not Lennon’s decision – although he is likely to have had some say in it – the only way in which the tide is going to turn is if Lennon is replaced. His spell at Celtic is beginning to grow stale, and Celtic need a change to save themselves.

We are not just talking about 10 in a row, but next season’s Scottish Premiership title, too. Celtic need to get a move on and bring in a replacement – and hope it is the right one.

Celtic v Rangers - Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership

(Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)

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Pat Bonner and Michael Stewart deliver damning verdicts on Celtic manager Neil Lennon