As we approach the final burst of football before the end of the 2018/19 season, it feels like the important part, or at least the exciting part, of Celtic’s roller-coaster campaign is only just beginning.
Despite promises of a challenge from across the city and the bet365 bonus code 2019 that has been available, the Scottish Premiership title race never really materialised beyond the winter break and so the only unknowns have again revolved around whether incredible success can be delivered in the form of a treble of domestic trophies.
The exit of Brendan Rodgers only heightened the drama surrounding the treble push, especially as he walked out days before a crucial Scottish Cup quarter-final clash away to Hibernian.
Now as the club approach a Hampden date in the next round against Aberdeen this weekend, much of the discussion when it comes to Celtic is again about the manager’s job. Make no mistake about it, this is election season for interim boss Neil Lennon, who is only guaranteed to take charge of the team until the end of May.
Poor home results - Rangers derby aside - have raised serious questions amongst supporters who want to see the decision makers at Celtic Park embark on an ambitious manager hunt.
Tactics and team selections are coming under fire, decisions are being scrutinised, right now Lennon is losing the minds of fans even if he’ll always have their hearts.
It may be tempting for Celtic to wear Lennon like a comfy pair of shoes heading into next season - he’s a proven winner at Celtic Park as both a player and a manager after all - but to do so without demonstrating they have done all they can to maintain the high standards that Rodgers brought to the club would be a serious mistake.
Hoops fans aren’t buttoned up the back and know there’s a pool of money available not just for an elite coaching team to take charge but also enough for any new prospective manager to stamp his authority on the squad in the upcoming transfer window.
Any indication that the club are being complacent, or worse moving backwards, will be met with anger and a divisive debate. Peter Lawwell, Dermot Desmond and the rest of the Celtic board need only look back to the Ronny Deila days to see what that does to attendances and revenue.
For Celtic to automatically coronate Lennon as the club’s new boss, even if he wins the aforementioned treble, would not unify a support desperate to maintain success and push for a mythical 10 league titles in a row in 2021.
No complacency can enter the equation here, either Celtic demonstrate a methodical and thorough recruitment process has taken place which results in Lennon being appointed or they deliver the high profile manager fans are craving.
There can be no gradual transition from the status quo into the summer.