Defiant Neil Lennon insists Celtic fans will now regret protests calling for him to be sacked.
Fuming supporters called for Lennon to leave after Celtic 's run of domestic dominance was ended by Ross County and they were dumped out of the League Cup.
Defeat led to a a first domestic cup loss in 36 outings for the Parkhead side, and started the downwards spiral of the failed 10 In A Row bid.
But Lennon believes that the anger was not just directed at him and was a mix of emotions in the midst of Covid restrictions.
He told FourFourTwo when asked about the protests following defeat to Ross County : "That was at the end of a long, long unbeaten run in cup competitions.
"There was a lot of angst in society at the time. Lockdowns had affected everyone in so many negative ways, so there was a lot of frustration out there.
"Rightly or wrongly, some of those fans showed in their own way at the time.
"I'd like to think most of them now regret that."
He also reckons that the league collapse started in the summer, and reiterated claims that the fan lockout severely dented their Premiership title hopes.
Lennon added: "The league was called in May and we were deservedly crowned champions.
"But when football came back after that long lay-off we were never the same again and that was it.
"I remember when the players returned after three months off it just felt different.
"A few of the lads wanted to leave and there wasn't the money to go out and replace them.
"Everything was flat and unfortunately there was a bit of ill-discipline with players breaking Covid protocols and stuff like that.
"The momentum of the season just never got going.
"Having no fans inside the ground didn't help, because the support is huge for any Celtic team.
"I don't think that too many sides were affected by having to play in empty stadiums as much as us."
