Celtic are finally set to bring Neil Lennon’s second spell in charge of the club to an end.
The Parkhead boss has come under immense pressure after falling 18 points behind Premiership champions-elect Rangers, with the much-coveted 10 in a row slipping away.
And assistant manager John Kennedy will now be placed in interim charge until the end of the season after Sunday’s latest defeat to Ross County.
Fan protests spilled over following a Champions League exit to Ferencvaros, a league defeat to Rangers in October and a Betfred Cup loss to the Highlanders in November.
Despite pressure to act, however, Celtic powerbroker Dermot Desmond and chief executive Peter Lawwell held firm.
Lennon responded by becoming the first man in Scottish football history to win a domestic treble as both player and manager by clinching the Scottish Cup in December. And he defiantly refused to bow to demands to quit.
The Celtic board hoped to limp on to the end of the season with the 49-year-old in charge.
However, a season of woe has been blighted by Covid-19 issues, poor player recruitment on the likes of Vasilis Barkas and Albian Ajeti, a dismal Europa League campaign and the relentless form of arch rivals Rangers.
Despite rallying to record five straight wins, a 1-0 defeat in Dingwall has proved the straw which broke the camel’s back.
Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side now need just seven points to win their first Scottish title in ten years. And for Celtic, a huge summer of transition and change beckons.
Lawwell will retire to be replaced by the SRU’s Dominic McKay as chief executive at the end of the season.
Already interviewing for a newly created role of Sporting Director, Celtic’s summer of change will continue with the appointment of a new head coach to replace Lennon.
The former club captain returned to the helm for a second spell in charge when Brendan Rodgers quit for Leicester City in February 2019.
Despite winning another five trophies, his links with the club look certain to be cut for the final time over the next 24 hours.
RangerseasyOK
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Lol 😂 remember mourinho who says he won’t manage team from London anymore if you really a football you shouldn’t argue
Lampard in 2008 - "I've always had great respect for Walter Smith and a great fondness for Rangers.” Maybe he will go to Celtic, but if he does I’ll keep resurfacing this quote. Steve Clarke looks like the bookies favourite anyway.
Prince997
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Lampard supports Chelsea and rangers he won’t go to Celtic.
Lol 😂 remember mourinho who says he won’t manage team from London anymore if you really a football you shouldn’t argue
RangerseasyOK
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Lampard here your opportunity
Lampard supports Chelsea and rangers he won’t go to Celtic.
RangerseasyOK
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Noooooo please stay neil 55 won’t be the same without you 😂.
Prince997
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Lampard here your opportunity