‘Don’t have to be a rocket scientist’ – Gerrard delivers verdict on Lennon future at Celtic
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard said that it is no surprise that Neil Lennon is facing scrutiny, but that it can easily turn the other way.
The Gers are top of the table and unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership, while Lennon’s Celtic side are winless in their last three matches.
Earlier this week, Lennon hit back at the media for questioning his position after his side’s recent poor run of form.
Asked about the situation at Celtic Park, Gerrard said that you did not need to be a “rocket scientist” to see that the pressure builds after a few indifferent results.
“I don’t think you have to be a rocket scientist to work it out that whoever is in the best form seems to get a bit more peace in terms of scrutiny in the media and the questions that are fired at you,” he said (via The Scottish Sun).
“You get a couple of indifferent results and that certainly changes very quickly and the heat comes in a different direction. That’s the way it is.
“That’s what myself and Neil, or myself and Brendan (Rodgers) prior to Neil, have to live with. That’s the job we are in. That’s never going to change. I’m sure that it has been the same for many years and it will be in the future.”
Fickle business
The pressure at Celtic and Rangers is unlike that at many other jobs in European football and Gerrard is correct to point out that a run of three games without a win will see the speculation grow.
Gerrard experienced it himself last season when his Rangers side fell out of the title race and losing an old firm derby in the style that Celtic did, there are bound to be questions.
Not only are Celtic six points adrift at the top of the table, but they are also behind in a number of underlying metrics.
While both sides have scored 28 goals, Rangers have taken more shots and attempts on target, while Gerrard’s team have conceded just three goals (via FBRef).
Some Celtic fans have been calling for Lennon’s head and while he’s been lashing out at the media for a supposed agenda, he should be looking to put things right on the pitch. If he can.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox View: What Lennon’s ‘fake news’ remark says about Rangers