Neil Lennon says Celtic players must take responsibility as worrying trend continues

Neil Lennon has questioned Celtic’s game management and believes the players must take responsibility following another damaging defeat.

Martin O’Neill’s side suffered their second loss in five days as Ferencvaros secured a 3-1 victory at Celtic Park in the Europa League.

It followed Sunday’s 3-0 Premier Sports Cup defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, with Celtic now preparing to face their rivals again at Parkhead this weekend.

O’Neill made four changes in an attempt to generate a response, but his former Celtic captain Lennon believes the experienced players within the squad must shoulder much of the responsibility for their recent performances.

Speaking on TNT Sports commentary, Lennon said via Daily Record: “Oh come on. It’s the players. There’s loads of experience out there.

“I think the game management of this team has to be called into question, whether it be LASK away or Rangers away and even tonight at times.

“Whether it be decision making, not taking enough responsibility on and off the ball.

“Of course the manager always gets questions asked but he made four changes tonight to freshen it up and it’s still the same response.”

Former Celtic midfielder Stiliyan Petrov was also asked whether the style currently being produced by the team was coming from O’Neill or assistants Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham.

Petrov, who played under O’Neill during his first spell at the Hoops, insists Celtic’s current approach bears little resemblance to the football he associates with his former manager.

He said: “Well somebody’s doing it. It’s not his style.

“When you lose games, you’re always going to be under pressure. We played under Martin and we’ve seen him in a different light.

“It’s the personnel you have. This is what you have to do.

“It’s too slow at the moment.

“This club has been through difficult times and will go through difficult times. How quick can they come out of it?

“But if you ask me honestly if that’s the style that Martin O’Neill played? Definitely not.”