NEIL LENNON says he understands why some Celtic supporters want him sacked, after conceding that the ‘Holy Grail’ of ten-in-a-row was non-negotiable for many of them.

The Celtic manager has faced protests at the stadium and the training ground calling for him to be relieved of his duties over the course of the past few months, as the club have watched their dreams of a tenth consecutive title fall by the wayside.

When asked if retaining the Premiership title was a prerequisite for him to keep him in his job, Lennon said: “I don’t think it’s unfair or unrealistic but we have had mitigating circumstances throughout the course of the campaign, some of which I can’t divulge publicly.

“But I’ve never shied away from the fact that it’s been massively disappointing and we could and should have performed better. That’s on me, my staff and the football department as well.

“The ten was the Holy Grail, really, and it may be beyond us but we won’t give it up just yet.”

While accepting culpability for Celtic’s poor season, Lennon says there is perhaps nothing he could do to convince some fans he is the right man for the job.

“I have to prove myself every day,” he said. “I’ve had to prove myself ever since I walked through the door for that second time. It’s been like pushing water uphill, trying to convince some people.

“But without trophies, we haven’t had a good season this year. If that’s enough for people to want me out, that’s fine – I can take that and understand it.

“What I want from the end of the season, though, is for us to win games for the last couple of months. I want a really strong finish, to let the players blossom, play their football, enjoy what they’re doing and see where that takes us.

“I don’t know [if I’ll ever convince some people] but that’s the nature of the job: it’s not a popularity contest. It’s about playing good football and winning, bringing players to the club, developing them and selling them on, which is what I’ve done over the piece.”