Neil Lennon quits as Celtic manager
Assistant John Kennedy is expected to take charge for the rest of the season
Last updated 24th Feb 2021
Neil Lennon has resigned as Celtic manager days after a defeat to Ross County that left Rangers within touching distance of the Scottish Premiership title.
The 1-0 loss in Dingwall left Celtic 18 points adrift with eight games remaining and heightened the prospect of the Ibrox side clinching the Scottish Premiership title at Parkhead on March 21.
Assistant manager John Kennedy is expected to take caretaker charge.
Celtic made an announcement to the London Stock Exchange at 7am followed immediately by a statement on Twitter saying: "Celtic Football Club today announced that Neil Lennon has resigned from his position as Football Manager with immediate effect.
"We thank Neil sincerely for all he has done for the club and we wish him every success going forward."
It went on to pay tribute saying he had served with distinction as both a player and manager.
Frustration and disappointment
Lennon said in a statement: "We have experienced a difficult season due to so many factors and, of course, it is very frustrating and disappointing that we have not been able to hit the same heights as we did previously.
"I have worked as hard as ever to try and turn things around, but unfortunately we have not managed to get the kind of run going that we have needed.
"I have always given my best to the club and have been proud to deliver silverware to the Celtic supporters. The club will always be part of me. I will always be a Celtic supporter myself and I will always want the best for Celtic.
"I would like to thank so many people at the club who have given me so much and I would also like to thank my family for their love and support. I wish the Celtic supporters, players, staff and directors nothing but success for the future.''
"A true Celtic man" - Peter Lawwell
Outgoing Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "I would like to pay tribute to Neil for all he has done for the club in his second spell, delivering our eighth and ninth successive league titles, the quadruple treble and winning the last five available domestic trophies.
"Neil has always been and will always be a true Celtic man and someone I will always hold in the highest regard.
"I have watched Neil fight many battles over many years, on and off the field, with a courage and tenacity few could match. Even this season, he has fought so hard and worked tirelessly to turn things around.
"While this season has not progressed as we would have liked, it cannot diminish the character or integrity of a man who has given the club so much.
"Personally, it is a sad day for me to see Neil leave the club. Neil is a man of quality and decency, he is someone who will always be part of the fabric of Celtic and someone who will always be welcomed at Celtic Park.
"On behalf of everyone at the club, and personally, I would like to thank Neil for his work as our manager and I wish him and his family good health and continued success in everything they do.''
Lennon has presided over a campaign which promised so much as Celtic chased a record 10th consecutive title, but which veered from bad to worse after Celtic suffered a home defeat by Ferencvaros in the Champions League qualifiers.
A bottom-placed finish in the Europa League group stages followed and Celtic's title defence never recovered from a home defeat by Rangers after a series of Covid-19 blows during the October international break.
In pictures: Lennon's highs and lows in Celtic return
Neil Lennon returns to Celtic and it's not long before he makes his mark. He's offered the manager's job on a permanent basis after guiding the Hoops to a Scottish Cup win over Hearts and a historic treble treble in the bag
Against the odds, Celtic beat Serie A giants Lazio on Italian soil thanks to Olivier Ntcham's stoppage time strike. They came from behind in Rome to secure a famous win and top their Europa League group to qualify for the last 32 with two games to spare.
With coronavirus curtailing the season, Celtic are crowned champions for a ninth successive time when clubs decide to end the league campaign. The Hoops were 13 points out in front with eight games to play.
Celtic suffer their earliest exit from the Champions League in more than a decade after a surprise defeat to Ferencvaros. They eventually drop into the Europa League but results don't get much better with heavy defeats to Sparta Prague and AC Milan leaving them bottom of the group.
A League Cup exit to Ross County piles more pressure on Neil Lennon and sparks fans' protests outside the ground at full-time. The board though stick by him.
In a thrilling Scottish Cup final played behind closed doors Celtic come out on top in a penalty shoot out with Hearts clinching a historic quadruple treble
After an ill-fated trip to Dubai, Celtic spilled more points at in-form Livingston, drawing 2-2 at the Tony Macaroni arena to leave them trailing leaders Rangers by 20 points.
Neil Lennon says defeat to St Mirren is the 'lowest point of his managerial career' at Celtic and more questions are raised about his future
Defeat to bottom side Ross County spelled the end for Neil Lennon's second stint in charge of the club.
Lennon survived a run of two wins in 12 matches, including a Betfred Cup defeat by County, and some angry protests from fans.
The Celtic board twice gave him their public backing but promised a review in the new year, before a run of six wins including a shoot-out triumph against Hearts in last season's delayed Scottish Cup final.