Espn soccernet blogs

[slimtim]

Is the Scottish Media stirring up the hatred towards Neil Lennon?
Posted by Andy Muirhead 16 hours, 52 minutes ago

Over the past eleven years Neil Lennon's life has revolved in and around Celtic Football Club. And in all those years the Northern Irishman has received a level of hatred and abuse that no man in British Football has endured. From Parcel Bombs to bullets to being assaulted on the streets of Glasgow and the sideline at Tynecastle, Lennon has had to endure so much in those 11 years that it would make lesser men run for the hills. A campaign of attrition so hate-filled that it would have had a lesser man throw in the towel long ago.

So why has it gotten so bad? In my opinion, elements within the Scottish mainstream media.

From phone-ins to the written press to TV broadcasts, Neil Lennon has been subjected to the level of spin that Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell would be proud of.

Throughout his Celtic career, Lennon was targeted as an overly aggressive player, at times labelled a snarling dog. Yet in all his time at Celtic Park how many bookings did he receive? Not as many as some would lead you to believe. Yes he was confrontational and was passionate on the field, but what great central midfielder isn't? Roy Keane is a prime example of a dominant central midfielder who is passionate, who is confrontational and who likes to get a bit lippy and stuck in. So where were his bombs, bullets, assaults?

During the Summer, Celtic travelled Down Under on a Pre-season tour of Australia. But the tour was overshadowed - in the Scottish press that is - of his comments on a stunt by some Rangers fans in Perth.

The Perth Rangers Supporters Club tried to goad Celtic by organising a plane to fly over the stadium just before kick off trailing a banner that boasted about Rangers' three SPL titles in a row.

Lennon was asked after the match about the stunt and he told reporters: "Well, you'd think they'd have better things to do following their team in Germany (for their pre-season tour) than pay a lot of money to annoy us, I think they're a wee bit obsessed with us at the minute."

Nothing twisted or hate-filled in those comments, in fact the video footage of the post match interview saw Lennon quite calm and collected when answering.

Cue the headlines from the Scottish newspapers:

"Neil Lennon raps plane crazy Rangers fans"

"Lenny’s air rage"

Yet check out these headlines from non-Scottish based media outlets:

"Celtic shrug off Rangers plane stunt"

"Celtic manager Neil Lennon unfazed by Rangers flyover stunt"

The Scottish media outlets had a field day last season with the number of incidents that revolved around the Celtic and Neil Lennon. And by all accounts it looks as though they are looking to continue this, by fuelling the flames of hate that burn between the Lurgan man and Rangers supporters.

In the 11 years that Lennon has been at Celtic, not once did any newspaper outlet publish an article condemning the attacks or threats on Lennon. They used it to fuel stories, with pundits giving their opinions on why Lennon brought it upon himself, and that given he lives in the goldfish bowl of Glasgow, he should stay indoors. Comments coming from former players who boozed it up to the early hours when they were at Celtic or Rangers in the 1970s and 80s, even those who haven't kick a ball in anger as a professional got in on the act, trying to take the moral high ground.

He was also blamed for the 'Old Firm shame game' which saw three Rangers players sent off and a few words exchanged between Lennon and Ally McCoist. Photos published in the papers the next few days used one angle - showing an angry Lennon reacting to something that McCoist said. But the media darling that is McCoist was the innocent party according to some, with the specific photo used as evidence. Yet the media failed to publish another one showing McCoist being dragged back not once, twice or three times but four times in the same match.

Despite that 'shame game' the only person to be punished was Neil Lennon. Ally McCoist walked out of Hampden Park with a big cheshire cat grin on his face, while El Hadji Diouf and Madjid Bougherra, despite being castigated by SFA Chief Executive Stewart Regan in the press for manhandling referee Calum Murray, were given measly fines for their part in the shame game. But as ever it was Neil Lennon's fault and the media foamed at the mouth at all the articles that came their way.

After that match, Aberdeen manager Craig Brown and Motherwell Chairman John Boyle squared up on the touchline at Fir Park getting physical also. Yet after a few months of 'investigation' both individuals were let off - where was the summit and the headlines over that incident? In fact Craig Brown's antics that season was laughed off by the same pundits and commentators who had been attacking Lennon for 11 years. Craig Brown punches an Odense official and it is laughed off.

Craig Brown man handles his former chairman which results in officials, players and police getting involved. Decision - Not Guilty and what a hoot!

Neil Lennon reacts angrily to something that McCoist says to him at the end of the match. Dragged away by his assistant Alan Thompson, while McCoist stands back with a wry smile on his face. Decison - Lennon is at fault once again and after 'investigations' and a PR stunt summit we will find those involved from Rangers Not Guilty.

It was only after the Scottish Government, the Police, the Westminster government got involved that the media then changed their tune and denounced those targeting Lennon, all the while trying to ignore the years of abuse and hatred that they tried to blame on Lennon himself.

Most officials, fans and football personalities hope and prey that Neil Lennon does not go through a season like he did last season. However you can bet on the Editors and the bean counters in Scotland's mainstream media, hoping and praying it continues to a certain degree to sell more papers, to gain more air time.

Celtic and Rangers cover 90% of the Scottish Football coverage in our media, and with Neil Lennon at the helm at Celtic Park the focus will as per usual for the coming season fall squarely on the shoulders of the Lurgan man. And with some papers cutting jobs and others losing circulation numbers dramatically, they will use any trick any angle to sell more copies.

Maybe this year, maybe this season will be different. Sadly I won't be counting my chickens that's for sure.

[superally]

Apparently, The abuse Lennon receives, Is because he's a Catholic from Ulster.Former celtic manager Martin O' Neill was a catholic from Ulster, yet never got the abuse or problem's that lennon gets. Then again, MON, never spat on rangers scarves at Ibrox, or called Rangers fans dirty orange bastards, amongst other thing's. Lennon's bigoted behaviour as a celtic player, and blatant hatred he shown towards anything protestant and rangers, i s the reason for the abuse he gets now. I guess you could say his past has caught up with him.

[slimtim]

Apparently, The abuse Lennon receives, Is because he's a Catholic from Ulster.Former celtic manager Martin O' Neill was a catholic from Ulster, yet never got the abuse or problem's that lennon gets. Then again, MON, never spat on rangers scarves at Ibrox, or called Rangers fans dirty orange bastards, amongst other thing's. Lennon's bigoted behaviour as a celtic player, and blatant hatred he shown towards anything protestant and rangers, i s the reason for the abuse he gets now. I guess you could say his past has caught up with him.

so he can't react, he's just to take it. every man and i mean every man has a breaking point. but EHJ had no reason for his outburst, and he never got the same
abuse from the celtic fans.

[superally]

so he can't react, he's just to take it. every man and i mean every man has a breaking point. but EHJ had no reason for his outburst, and he never got the same
abuse from the celtic fans.

Lennon is a bigoted cnut, End of. His past action's are to blame for his current situation.

[superally]

My twisted logic, means i have to justify fuck all to you fella.Tho i wont mention the shite nacho novo, and other gers player's have had to endure, Because that wouldnt fit with your always the victim celtic type mentality.

Tho i must also say, When lennon was caught on camera calling gers fans orange bastards he never did himself any favours with that one did he. But i suppose in celtic logic, It was Gers fans fault he was forced to do so.

It is unknown and unheard of, Previous to that or since, For any player from either side to make such bigoted remark's towards the other lot. Lennon is a grade one bigot.Now he wants sympathy cos he's getting unwanted attention from people who are just the same as him. Fuck him.

---------- Post added at 21:35 ---------- Previous post was at 21:25 ----------

I am led to believe Lennon receives this abuse because he is a Catholic on the basis that most of his attacks have been motivated by sectarianism. You've conveniently forgotten about the planting of the union jack in Martin O'Neill's front garden and sectarian graffitti on the road outside of his home, done while Martin was on evening duty at Celtic Park and causing alarm and terror for his seriously ill wife. What about Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn, two other Celtic players who are Catholics from Northern Ireland? What provocation did they offer to deserve bullets in the post? The implications in your post are disgusting...

Neil Lennon has been on the end of vile abuse from Rangers fans for his entire career. He's received numerous death threats. He's been the victim of several sick internet campaigns. He's been beaten unconcious in the street. He's had bullets sent to him through the post. He's had an attempt on his life in the form of a bomb and lastly he has been assaulted on the touchline.

If it wasn't bad enough that you claim he brings all of this on himelf, your line of reasoning behind that belief is completely made up. To claim Neil Lennon shows blatant hatred Protestants is the most bizarre thing I have ever heard. If you think spitting on a Rangers scarf justifies attempted murder there is something wrong with you.

Neil Lennon is courageously outspoken. He sometimes argues with referees. But for anyone including yourself to imply that is the reason he is hated is ignorant and for you to call Neil Lennon a bigot is hypocrisy. Similar names who conduct themselves in an equally abrasive way include Robbie Savage and Craig Bellamy, two players whom crowds love to abuse yet their own fans worship. Players that every club needs to help drag them out of complacency and onto victory, as Roy Keane often did for Manchester United.

Take Jose Mourinho for example. His touchline antics are appalling. He tried to kick a player in the head and poked a Barcelona coach in the eye.

Going by your logic, does this justify parcel bombs and bullets?

I vaguely remember Paul Gascoigne inciting sectarian hatred in an alarming way when he celebrated a Rangers goal by playing the flute, an action designed to mock the Celtic faithful.

Does he deserve an attempt on his life?

Planting a union jack on british soil. Fookin hanging offence that one eh?

[superally]

The death threats aimed at Nacho Novo were appalling but I would never try and justify them as you do. You base your argument that Lennon deserves all he gets on a Youtube video by a Rangers fan who has tried his hand at lipreading. On your last point, if you could call it that, you obviously ignored what I said about Gascgoine and forgetting the time Rangers goalkeeper Graham Roberts orchestrated a rendition of The Billy Boys at Ibrox.

In typical celtic fashion, your somwhow turning thing's round to say i am now justifying it.Are you after a job in the scottish mhedia??
I don't condone any of it, from either side.Gazza, openly apologised for his actions,Saying himself he had no real idea what he was doing, or the implications of it. As for the Graham Roberts orchestrated a rendition of The Billy Boys at Ibrox. If you take the time to research a bit, You will no doubt see that he waved his arms vaguely with his back to the crowd, to encourage the crowd to sing, And the song that was being sung was the sash, Which incidently is a non sectarian song.
I also base the lennon argument on sky tv footage,not a mobile phone video, To even attempt to deny Lennon's action's that make smell's of desperation. Lennon has shown a level of bigoted behaviour, NO OLD FIRM PLAYER has ever shown. Lead by example?? Well he certainly has done that, then cried when a few idiot's took it a step further.

[Norn_irish_stu]

You have to look at from the perspective that the people who posted bullets to mccourt and mcquinn and lennon are just dirty scum bastards. Their actions are deplorable and as a protestant rangers fan from northern ireland i find it disgusting because all it does is make us all look like bigoted hate filled people when that is not all the case.

Lennon has every reason to not have anyting nice to say about the protestant community some of them threatened to kill him if he set foot on the pitch at windsor park as the northern ireland captain, which is disgusting so i dont blame him but if you watch the northern ireland matches you will see that no one has any ill feeling towards paddy mccourt or nial mcquinn never have i seen anything bad thing said too them while they play for their country or about them playing for their country.

[superally]

You have to look at from the perspective that the people who posted bullets to mccourt and mcquinn and lennon are just dirty scum bastards. Their actions are deplorable and as a protestant rangers fan from northern ireland i find it disgusting because all it does is make us all look like bigoted hate filled people when that is not all the case.

Lennon has every reason to not have anyting nice to say about the protestant community some of them threatened to kill him if he set foot on the pitch at windsor park as the northern ireland captain, which is disgusting so i dont blame him but if you watch the northern ireland matches you will see that no one has any ill feeling towards paddy mccourt or nial mcquinn never have i seen anything bad thing said too them while they play for their country or about them playing for their country.

In reality it was probably no more than half a dozen people involved at most.
As for Lennon not having anything nice to say about the protestant community, Well i find that a really sad remark.
What an opportunity missed there, to dampen the spirit's of the hate mongerer's.
It could have been a great opportunity to make an anti sectarian statement. IE, I hope this incident by a handful of loons doesnt reflect on the Protestant community as a whole. Or something similar, but hey ho, Timmy has to run away bleating,and use it as another opportunity to blacken the name of every decent protestant, and rangers supporter.

[superally]

I already know about the Graham Roberts incident and believe me, it was The Billy Boys. And he raised his hands in the air and waved them about as if he were conducting an orchestra. You seem to play things down or exaggerate things when it suits you. The implications in your posts were that Neil Lennon brings it on himself and you tried to justify it with a load of nonsense.

Please give me the Sky footage of Lennon. I have seen the video which was made a Rangers fan on Youtube and it's a poor attempt at lipreading. Very selective. A similar thing happened when Rangers fans wasted police time by complaining about alleged racist abuse directed at Diouf by Lennon. The source was another Youtube video where yet another Rangers fan had tried their hand at lipreading. Diouf had to come out and deny he had been racially abused.

So we still haven't established what Lennon has done which justifies him being repeatedly assaulted and sent bombs and bullets in the post. What's your next excuse to pedal your bigotry?

I truly cant be arsed to bother with people like you.

You have come on this forum and stirred up or tried to, some kinf of bigoted argument, Claiming that celtic are the victim';s of horrendous wrong doing's whilst they are squeaky clean themselves. I am fortunately wise enough to know, that it is pretty much equal, and both sides have their share of loonies.
If you havent the brains to accept that, Then jog off back to camp peado, with all your other ever offended friend's.And leave those of us who wash bathe and dont interfere with our kids in peace.

Goodnight and goodbye.

[superally]

i'm not surprised your pulling out all you've been able to add is sweeping generalisations

I came on the forum and gave my point as coherently as possible in reply to your post which said "lennon is a bigoted cunt who deservs what he gets" with no reasoning other than a Rangers fan made Youtube video.

I haven't claimed Celtic were the victims of horrendous wrong doings. I claimed the attacks on Lennon were motivated by religious prejudice and not because a Rangers fan on Youtube made a video about him, which you keep delluding yourself by insisting is true.

If you could also point me to where I said Celtic fans are innocent that would be great.

The last comment mocking child abuse sums you up.You add nothing to the debate besides insults and lies. You're also too ignorant to be argued with. It's quite a shame that you're here representing Rangers on a forum of football fans.

Seems it was proven in court this week that the attack on Lennon was Not religiously motivated. Am i correct??

I have never seen the video on you tube that you keep telling me that i have.

Also i have never mocked child abuse, Tho i have researched the now available Torbett trial, And noted that seven employees of celtic football club at the time,Did indeed testify under oath in a court of law, that jock stein did indeed know, about the child abuse going on at celtic, but it was covered up to protect the name of celtic fc.
Lies indeed. I aint the one lying here,If you happen to find another brain cell, you may summon the mental energy to look it up for yourself. Doubt it tho, you dimmy's could never accept the truth about jock stein.
Who is actually lying, All those from celtic at that time who swore oath in court?
Or the deluded memories of jock stein?
Doubt its me TBH.
As for mocking child abuse, you lot do that, every time you chant his name,or hero worship him.

[superally]

First you've said Neil Lennon deserves being assaulted and having his life endangered.
Now you are saying Jock Stein, Scotlands greatest ever manager, covered up child abuse.

You are the lowest of the low and your sullying the name of a dead Scotland legend. You have no proof to back up that disgusting accusal.



You are a sick fuck and you should be ashamed you are representing Rangers on a forum of other football fans.

No Proof?? I actually dont need any.Aye whatever, i dont claim to represent rangers, Tho keep deluding yourself, timmy. Do some research into the public domain stuff that is now available.Find out the horrifying unpallatable truth to you dimmy's. Then maybe hopefully, go against the celtic tradition of not accepting the truth. And see the truth for what it really is. Big jock knew. The truth is out there, It's just that you lot don't and cant accept it.Sad really as i had total respect for big jock til i found out the truth.

[superally]

Yeah Me and Rangers Fc, are guilty of everything you say and a lot more besides. I wont go into your ira fundraising and songs celebrating the deaths of 1000's of innocent british citizens, etc,IRA fundraising videos filmes at parkhead etc cos it obviously has never happened.In the case of celtic fc. and neil lennon the cameras have obviously been proved to be liars.
I openly and unreservedly apologise for any remarks i made have made that may have caused offence to anything or anybody related to celtic fc.
Tho what i say is truth i apologise for speaking the truth,

[superally]

First you've said Neil Lennon deserves being assaulted and having his life endangered.
Now you are saying Jock Stein, Scotlands greatest ever manager, covered up child abuse.

You are the lowest of the low and your sullying the name of a dead Scotland legend. You have no proof to back up that disgusting accusal.

Awat and do whatever you dims do, to find self gratification. I put my belief in the court of law. You run along , whilst we fiddle with taxes, and you fiddle with your kids.

[Hh7]

Awat and do whatever you dims do, to find self gratification. I put my belief in the court of law. You run along , whilst we fiddle with taxes, and you fiddle with your kids.

Wasn't Torbett a hun?

[superally]

[QUOTE=Hh7;503656]Wasn't Torbett a hun?[/QUOTE

Attachment 0