Tommy Coyne hits out at section of Celtic fanbase in wake of Neil Lennon criticism

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Celtic cult hero Tommy Coyne has hit out as sections of the Bhoys fanbase ahead of the Parkhead side’s Old Firm derby against Rangers this weekend.

Celtic cult hero Tommy Coyne has strongly hit out against those who have been criticising Hoops boss Neil Lennon in recent months, insisting that nobody else could have been picked to come to Parkhead and “do that job that’s he’s doing” (Daily Record).

Lennon took the reins at Celtic for the second time in his managerial career earlier this year after Brendan Rodgers’ untimely departure to Leicester City and succeeded in steering the Bhoys to their third consecutive domestic treble.

However, the decision for the Scottish Premiership club to then offer him a permanent contract rankled amongst some sections of the Bhoys fanbase, and following a slow summer on the transfer front and the Champions League exit to CFR Cluj, criticism of the Northern Irishman has increased.

Coyne, however, described the criticism as “disgraceful”, deemed Lennon “totally the man for the job” and claimed that Celtic fans are “spoiled” due to the success they’ve had in terms of silverware over the last few years.

“The criticism Neil’s had to take has been disgraceful. I believe he is totally the man for the job,” Coyne is quoted by the Daily Record as saying. “Some of the fans are unhappy that Neil got the job but I’m totally behind the manager, I don’t think you could have picked anyone else to come in and do the job he’s doing. I’m sure he will go on and win the title.

“The fans look to the manager to show the passion from the side as you have seen from Celtic managers of the past and he’s of that calibre. When you play for Celtic you are expected to win every game no matter who you play. Losing to Cluj was a big disappointment but if Celtic had lost to Barcelona there would still have been a lot of fans expecting Celtic to win too. Celtic fans are spoiled because of their success.”

Celtic have their first major test in their hopes of making it nine titles in a row – and potentially a fourth consecutive domestic treble in a row – this season as they head to Ibrox to face bitter rivals Rangers in the Old Firm derby this Sunday.