Chris Sutton calls out Peter Lawwell after Celtic humiliation

You need strong leadership at times of crisis. Leaders need to be seen and heard. We are deep in a Celtic crisis. Are we about to hear from Peter Lawwell?

Clearly the crisis is not going away quickly. There is very likely a hope that Neil Lennon and the Celtic players can turn things around. But that was the thinking as well before the draw at Aberdeen, and the home loss to Sparta Prague, and the away draw at Hibernian and even the further despairing loss away in Prague. The run of games approaching should be simpler. But based on current form, anything is possible.

Celtic should have fewer injury issues to contend with and have players like Christopher Jullien and Leigh Griffiths available for selection. Though let’s not forget Odsonne Edouard was hobbling around on the pitch on Thursday night just before being replaced.

While there are lots of calls for Lennon to be replaced, the thinking seems to be that he has the board’s backing and will continue in his role for the time being. The run of approaching games will no doubt play a factor in that decision.

But Celtic haven’t taken advantage of much in recent games and while there have been some positive moments, they have been outweighed by negatives. Edouard’s classy opening goal on Thursday for example pales into insignificance infront of the 4-1 scoreline against Sparta Prague.

Is this where we will hear Peter Lawwell speak out? Where we will hear him explain the Celtic position currently, what is happening to move forward and get the team back on track. He could provide clarity, confidence, support and information. In this instance silence is by no means golden. It’s just adding to the rumour mill and putting further pressure on both Lennon and his team, both coaching and playing.

Chris Sutton has often been seen as avoiding any criticism of his former teammate Lennon. But in the Daily Record he isn’t holding back any more:

"“Neil Lennon is extremely fortunate to have survived Prague.“It was lamentable and it was embarrassing.”"

Sutton has though retained some sympathy for Lennon and reckons the Celtic Chief Executive should be speaking out:

"“But, at this stage, Peter Lawwell really has to come out and say something because this malaise can’t continue.“Neil spoke yesterday about the hierarchy being supportive, but it would be nice to actually hear it.“Tell everyone categorically and publicly that Neil is Celtic’s man and they are 100 per cent confident and committed to the fact he’s going to turn this around.”"

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It is a difficult situation though. Everyone knows of times when they have read a club executive or chairman issue a public vote of confidence in a manager, just to see the manager in question sacked a few weeks later. It is thought that that may be a reason why there has been no statement or message from Celtic yet.

But saying nothing in public gives no added confidence or stability whatsoever. Fans don’t know what’s happening even if the manager and his team are clear. The media will help the fans keep up the noise and pressure and nobody can settle in.

Difficult situations though are why people like Lawwell get paid the big bucks. It’s scenarios like this that may be difficult to resolve and will call on the full capabilities of a CEO to manage the situation. It’s why they are there. So let’s hope we can hear from him soon.