In detail: Neil Lennon's disaster Celtic season from dismal results to explosive Dubai presser and flop signings

A manager and player for the club over a span of 13 years, the Northern Irishman won everything there was to realistically win including trebles as both a footballer and a coach.

This season, of course, has been an unmitigated disaster and fans have rightfully been disappointed and upset that their 10 in a row hopes were dashed by the combination of a strong Rangers and an, at times, woeful Celtic side.

Lennon has now, of course, resigned from his post with confirmation coming from the club this morning. It comes after chief executive Peter Lawwell, majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and chairman Ian Bankier all came out in defence of the manager this season, with Mr Bankier doing so as recent as this month.

Celtic's 1-0 defeat to Ross County last weekend was the final nail in the coffin, however, with the champions 18 points behind Steven Gerrard's Light Blues. But the Staggies defeat was only the straw that broke the camel's back after a handful of disastrous results this campaign. Lennon has been skating on thin ice for a while now, even if he has insisted otherwise throughout, and that ice has finally cracked and gave way.

Here at Glasgow Times Sport, we take a look at the results that have proved too much for Lennon to keep his job beyond this week as well as a couple of major moments in the season that have built up and ultimately cost him his job.

RESULTS

Celtic 1-2 Ferencvaros

Celts crashed out of the Champions League qualifiers with a dreadful showing against Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros in the second qualifying round. The draw was one of the supposed easier ties Lennon's troops could have been handed, as they dodged the likes of Cluj and Slovan Bratislava.

READ MORE: Celtic manager Neil Lennon tipped to leave Parkhead within the next 24 hours

But even with a one-legged home tie they were unable to see off their opponents and missed out on a whopping cash windfall. Lennon said at the time his players 'only had themselves to blame' and he was right after David Siger and Tokmac Nguen scored either side of a Ryan Christie equaliser.

The manager revealed at that point that some players wanted out of the club, and alarm bells started ringing.

Celtic 0-2 Rangers

The time was now to put a marker down to remind Rangers who the champions were. To let them know 10 in a row was the priority and they'd do everything and anything to make it happen. What transpired at Parkhead back in October was arguably Celtic's worst performance in an Old Firm derby in recent memory.

They did not register a shot on target the entire 90 minutes and were undone at two set-pieces as defender Connor Goldson grabbed an unlikely double. In terms of defending from free-kicks and corners it was a clear sign of things to come.

Celtic 1-4 Sparta Prague

This result saw the Hoops lose three consecutive home matches for the first time in 30 years but it was the manner of the defeat that hurt fans most. Completely outgunned by the side most believed would cause them the least amount of problems in Europa League Group H, Lukas Julis bagged a hat-trick as the hosts crumbled.

The reverse 4-1 defeat in Czech Republic was just as bad with Julis helping himself to another two goals.

Celtic 0-2 Ross County

This is where it began to turn ugly for the club as fans staged protests outside Parkhead following defeat at home to County, their first domestic cup tie loss in 35 matches. Ross Stewart and Alex Iacovitti did the business for Stuart Kettlewell's side but, for Lennon, things turned sour with supporters demanding his sacking.

The boss said at the time upon hearing the protests outside: "It doesn't make me feel good, obviously. We are not in a good moment." 

Rangers 1-0 Celtic

Gers took another step towards the title with a win over Celts at Ibrox in the New Year fixture. The game had started so well for the visitors, too, with Allan McGregor on top form to keep out Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths.

Nir Bitton was sent-off and a Callum McGregor own goal sealed the points for Rangers and if ever there was a result and performance which told the story of Celtic's season it was this one.

Celtic 1-2 St Mirren

Off the back of two draws with Livingston, Jim Goodwin's side managed a well-earned win at Parkhead. Lennon branded it the lowest he has felt in football and it was not hard to see why. Ilkay Durmus embarrassed loan flop Shane Duffy to slam home the winner and Celtic' title efforts were doomed once and for all.

Ross County 1-0 Celtic

It was County's second win over Celtic this season when Jordan White powered home a header from yet another set-piece. It's been hard to see a way back for Lennon for a while, but this defeat sealed his fate with the patient board.

READ MORE: Neil Lennon apologises to Celtic supporters for letting them down after defeat to bottom-placed Ross County

BIG MOMENTS

Summer recruitment

Celtic splashed the cash big-time on goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas with the Greek joining from AEK Athens for around £5million. His signing has proven, unfortunately for Lennon, to be a disaster as he has struggled to adapt to life in Glasgow. The stopper has failed to do his job on several occasions and been heavily criticised for some dodgy performances and woeful goals conceded.

It's gotten so bad the 26-year-old has been left out the squad entirely the last few weeks with rookie Conor Hazard and Scott Bain being picked ahead of him.

Shane Duffy was tipped to be Celtic's defensive saviour when he joined on loan - with a £2million loan fee and a staggering wage - attached. His performances have at times been comical and some high-profile mistakes have cost him dearly.

Albian Ajeti, another £5million signing, has been struggling for fitness since joining and, despite a decent goalscoring return to kick-off his Hoops career, he has failed to keep it up and has not made it off the bench at times this term, with Lennon instead opting for Odsonne Edouard and midfielder Ryan Christie as his strike duo. Somewhat bizarre decisions considering the cash spent, but Ajeti has obviously not earned the trust, nor has £3.5million man Patryk Klimala.

Dubai and subsequent fallout

Lennon was adamant Celtic's Dubai trip was for the good of the club and his players. But not everyone saw it that way. Former Celtic striker Andy Walker had umpteen pops at the manager and the club over the 'jolly' - which did not sit well with him, by the way - and the Scots government also questioned the trip.

READ MORE: Read Neil Lennon furious press conference in full as Celtic boss rips into ‘hypocrisy’ of Dubai criticism

Peter Lawwell came out publicly and apologised for the decision to go-ahead with the trip, but a furious and defiant Lennon ripped into everyone and anyone during an explosive press conference where he slaughtered the media, pundits and the government over their criticism.

He also insisted Celts had been held to a higher standard than other Premiership clubs and he took aim at the likes of Hamilton and St Johnstone over their Covid-related matchday protocols not being up to snuff.

That brought with it further criticism and provided the first real signs that Lennon was beginning to feel the pressure. Of course it was obvious he was feeling it beforehand but it must be said he had been good at masking his disappointment.

But this presser showed the frustration and it was clear he was a man under a lot of stress.

Two Celtic stars also tested positive for Covid-19 following the trip which sparked more fury among fans as well as government officials.

As many as 14 players as well as Lennon and assistant John Kennedy were forced to self-isolate and missed draws with Hibs and Livingston.