THE NIGHT Neil Lennon was appointed Celtic manager, he wandered out into the vast empty bowl of Celtic Park for some fresh air after a long day of negotiation. He later spoke of being struck by the eerie sight of moonlight shafting in over the stands, casting an aura of history and mystery over the old stadium and taking his breath away.

Yesterday, that moonlight dimmed a little, as the Celtic legend stood down from the job he cherished at the club he always has and always will hold dear to his heart.

Lennon promised to bring back the thunder and he did – oh, how he did! For that we will be eternally grateful … thank you, Lenny.

Our tribute :

Moonlight Over Paradise (The Ballad of Neil Lennon)

Moonlight over Paradise

took his breath away –

he’d never seen the old place look that way.

He’d stepped out for a breath of air

at the end of a long, hard day …

that moonlight stirred the ghost of history

in Celtic Park.

 

Young Lennon was an Irish Tim –

a flame-haired Lurgan Bhoy.

He burned with love of Celtic …

sure, they were his pride and joy.

With a dream to thrill the faithful

from Hong Kong to Illinois,

he set off along the road to Paradise!

 

His promise blossomed early,

took him o’er the Irish sea –

but something drew him homeward

to re-think his destiny.

Re-focused, he was ready,

he was off and running free

down the long and winding road to Paradise!

 

Moonlight over Paradise

took his breath away –

he’d never seen the old place look that way.

He’d stepped out for a breath of air

at the end of a long, hard day…

that moonlight cast a cloak of mystery

on Celtic Park.

 

When his mentor came a-calling

in that soft, persuasive voice,

O’Neill was on the march

and Lenny really had no choice.

Consistency, composure,

growing stature, power and poise

took him further down the road to Paradise!

 

Then, as fate unfolded,

came the call from Celtic Park.

The hour had come for Lenny …

it was time to make his mark;

to play a Captain’s role,

of dwindling Hope to be the spark –

he had finally found his way to Paradise!

 

Moonlight over Paradise

took his breath away –

he’d never seen the old place look that way.

He’d stepped out for a breath of air

at the end of a long, hard day …

that moonlight augured Lenny’s destiny

at Celtic Park.

Johnbhoy (Copyright 25thMay1967)