Chris Sutton stops protecting Neil Lennon from Celtic sack

It looks like one of Neil Lennon’s biggest backers in the form of Chris Sutton has lost faith in him to keep the Celtic job for much longer.

After yesterday’s 2-2 draw against Hibernian, it is pretty clear that Celtic need to make some changes. Yes, the Bhoys did well to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat by scoring two late goals. But the fact of the matter is that they have managed just two wins from their last eight games in all competitions.

The club have kept their faith in Neil Lennon but the manager has to know that his time is quickly running out and he needs to turn things around quickly if he is to keep his job. At this point of time though, it looks unlikely that that will happen and he seems destined for the sack, sooner or later.

Even Chris Sutton, Lennon’s former teammate and one of his most ardent backers in the media, seems to be resigned to that fact. That seemed evident judging from his comments made on a phone-in show on BBC Radio 5.

As cited by the Daily Record, a Celtic supporter named Tommy called in and pleaded with Sutton to ask Lennon to walk out from his position:

"“Lennon came in as a cheap option, as he has for a second time.“He’s won us the Treble, I love him to bits, but look at managers who have had to leave England after one season (after winning Premier League), Conte, Mourinho Ranieri.“Football clubs change and temperaments change. These players are not playing for Celtic.“Can you agree with that Chris, can you ask Neil to walk?“We love him, he has to do it for Celtic and get someone else in.”"

While naturally Sutton could not agree to those demands, he did not defend his former teammate like he normally would:

"“With respect to Tommy, I’m not in a position to ask Neil to walk, am I?“But good passionate call Tommy.”"

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With every point Celtic drop, there is a growing feeling that Lennon is nearing the sack. And Sutton has to know that his former teammate needs to turn things around quickly if he is to remain Celtic manger for much longer. In fact, the board have shown massive patience with him already. Some would even argue that they have shown too much patience and should have already made the change.

Whatever maybe the case, for the time being Lennon remains the man in the managerial hot-seat. There could not have been a worse season to make this kind of a start with 10IAR on the line and let’s just hope that he can fix this mess up.

Otherwise, it might be time to part ways. He has won multiple titles for the club both as a player and a manager. But sometimes, hard decisions need to be made. That’s just football.