Guardian article on the persecution of Neil Lennon

[idlesupernova]

A true gent and wherever he goes next he will succeed. 

Lennon, you see, is a Catholic from Northern Ireland. He has red hair and a belligerent onfield demeanour that brooks no compromise. He never backs down. And then of course, he played for Celtic FC. For some in Scotland, this was a toxic cocktail that deserved a violent response.

In his time at Celtic, Neil Lennon was the victim of almost a dozen assaults and attempted assaults. On one occasion, he was kicked to the ground by two assailants outside his favourite wine bar in one of Glasgow's most desirable neighbourhoods. Most famously, he was attacked on the pitch in Edinburgh by a supporter of Heart of Midlothian. The incident was witnessed by millions watching live on Sky TV. In what must have been a world legal first an Edinburgh jury subsequently cleared his assailant.

Three years ago, two men from Ayrshire tried to blow up Lennon and his family by sending him a parcel bomb. A judge convicted them of a lesser charge. Others had attempted to send him bullets in the post. He was forced to stop playing international football for his beloved Northern Ireland because he and his family began to receive death threats immediately following his move to Celtic.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/may/25/neil-lennon-persecution-shames-scotland-celtic-manager

[Gin & Tonic]

Neil Lennon is an odious person, don't believe the "always the victim" mentality. Will never forget his complete lies that he was spat on and had stuff thrown at him at the League Cup semi final, police investigation proved none of this was true yet he's still the victim apparently. Good riddance

[Gin & Tonic]

Also I should add that some of the abuse and threats he received were totally out of order and in no way do I condone that. Just do not like the guy one bit because he's a malicious liar.

[Gin & Tonic]

Also I should add he's a terrible manager as well haha, will get found out now he's left the easiest job in world football (which he still managed to fuck up multiple times despite having a budget 10 times bigger than the nearest rivals)

[idlesupernova]

May 29, 2014 19:50:56 GMT 9.5 Gin & Tonic said:

Neil Lennon is an odious person, don't believe the "always the victim" mentality. Will never forget his complete lies that he was spat on and had stuff thrown at him at the League Cup semi final, police investigation proved none of this was true yet he's still the victim apparently. Good riddance

I believe the police stated there was "insufficient evidence" which is not the same as it not being true, it means there is not enough evidence to pursue the matter.

Calling him odious and saying good riddance is a bit vitriolic. 

[shining stars]

growing up in London it was only when i made some good Scottish mates around age 18 that I realised how much sectarianism existed in some parts of Scotland. down here there was always trouble between schools and stuff, but it wasn't ever overtly protestant/catholic based, even though the schools might themselves have been. It never crossed my mind that a william might need to be a Liam or a Billy or soemthing depending who was asking.

So to my new Scots mates on this board a quick question - are things changing at all? Will it play a part in the upcoming referendum do you think?

When I played a DJ gig in Belfast a couple of years ago it was a great atmosphere and I asked the guy if it was mixed, meaning religion wise, and he said 'sure, there's girls and blokes here...'

I'd never really thought of major english football rivalries being based on old religious beginings for clubs either but I guess they are, thing is I can never work out which is meant to be which!

[Gin & Tonic]

May 30, 2014 2:13:23 GMT 9.5 shining stars said:

growing up in London it was only when i made some good Scottish mates around age 18 that I realised how much sectarianism existed in some parts of Scotland. down here there was always trouble between schools and stuff, but it wasn't ever overtly protestant/catholic based, even though the schools might themselves have been. It never crossed my mind that a william might need to be a Liam or a Billy or soemthing depending who was asking.

So to my new Scots mates on this board a quick question - are things changing at all? Will it play a part in the upcoming referendum do you think?

When I played a DJ gig in Belfast a couple of years ago it was a great atmosphere and I asked the guy if it was mixed, meaning religion wise, and he said 'sure, there's girls and blokes here...'

I'd never really thought of major english football rivalries being based on old religious beginings for clubs either but I guess they are, thing is I can never work out which is meant to be which!

The only place in Scotland with major sectarian issues is Glasgow which makes sense obviously as that's where the majority of Irish migrants settled. Having never lived there I couldn't really tell you how bad it really is apart from what I've seen or heard about from Old Firm games. As for the implications on the Independence debate I couldn't really say how big a factor it would be. I mean there is a sweeping generalisation that Rangers fans lean towards Unionism (ie. referring to themselves as "The Queen's 11") but I apart from that I don't really think it would play a huge deal in the vote. 

[idlesupernova]

May 30, 2014 2:13:23 GMT 9.5 shining stars said:

growing up in London it was only when i made some good Scottish mates around age 18 that I realised how much sectarianism existed in some parts of Scotland. down here there was always trouble between schools and stuff, but it wasn't ever overtly protestant/catholic based, even though the schools might themselves have been. It never crossed my mind that a william might need to be a Liam or a Billy or soemthing depending who was asking.

So to my new Scots mates on this board a quick question - are things changing at all? Will it play a part in the upcoming referendum do you think?

When I played a DJ gig in Belfast a couple of years ago it was a great atmosphere and I asked the guy if it was mixed, meaning religion wise, and he said 'sure, there's girls and blokes here...'

I'd never really thought of major english football rivalries being based on old religious beginings for clubs either but I guess they are, thing is I can never work out which is meant to be which!

I've been to Aberdeen's ground to see Celtic on more than one occasion and never had and grief over being Irish but if I was in Glasgow I certainly would not be walking into a Rangers supporters bar!