While the debate never got heated, there was a consensus conveyed by the crowd of 500 or so that the last two years have been unacceptable and can't be allowed to happen again. Questions ranging from the new Tennent's sponsorship to Lennon's apparent imminent appointment were raised. Jeneatte Findlay of the Trust was seemingly pushing Lennon as the next manager, which seemed to have the backing of those present. Whether that positive reaction is strong enough throughout the whole support to resonate remains to be seen, but Lennon would surely have left the meeting heartened.
Financially, Lawwell explained that from his perspective, Celtic's obssession with the debt accrued is overblown by the support, noting that a lot of money had been spent since Martin O'Neill left us and it was a matter of judgement rather than policy which had seen an almost ruined club win the Scottish title two years in a row. He said that the now infamous transfer window of January 2009 would be on his gravestone and insisted it was the situation that dictated no quality players arrived, not a desire not to spend money. He pointed out that in a Scottish context the board's investment into the club is massive. From a personal point of view I feel that he was trying his best to spin going ons at the club recently in a positive light rather than accept any accountability on behalf of the club as to the problems we face going into season 2009/2010.
Lennon's role in the meeting was curious. There is no doubting he has passion and knowledge of the club and it's players but did show the chinks of inexperience which is hindering so many Celtic fans' opinions of Neil Lennon, Celtic Manager. A punter asked whether an experienced head would be alongside him, should he be successful in his application to become manager of Celtic, the reply was enthusiastic to the idea of this, admitting himself that he would be foolish to think that he had all the answers. A realistic viewpoint maybe, but worrying in opposition to Walter Smith who has shown he does have the answers to Rangers problems, domestically at least.
There were questions about the playing staff too, mostly covered by Lennon. One raised was the futures of Aiden McGeady, Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney. Lennon assuredly said that he would keep the former two if he could help it and that Maloney would be in training competing for a place in the team come July 1st, pending full fitness. A question was raised by a fan regarding Scott Brown's commitment to the Celtic cause referencing feeling within the support, misguided or not, that because Brown may or may not have been raised as a Rangers fan that he didn't bust a gut for the team. Lennon spoke bluntly and said that was 'crap' and delivered a truth that almost every Celtic fan can agree with in uncertain times, that we all enjoyed him booting Lafferty up into the air.
Overall I feel it was a constructive and positive way forward to open communication between the club and the fans. I hope in future conversation throughout the Summer at the events planned somehow allow for the 'Celtic family' to pull together and face Rangers head on next season. I also hope that perhaps more difficult questions are asked of Mr.Lawwell in the future, perhaps touching on stewarding at Celtic Park or his bonus payments for 'success' financially.
You can read the full transcript of the meeting over at Celtic Underground (who provided a live update service from the event itself last night) and make up your own mind on proceedings. It's worth noting that the various updaters at the event across the internet outdid themselves with regards to getting the information from the meeting to the rest of the fans almost as it was being said. Celtic fans seem to be embracing 'new media' in a more enthusiastic way than most sets of supporters.
