Celtic manager Neil Lennon has shot down the media narrative of Rangers potentially usurping the Hoops.
The Parkhead support have had to listen to a lot of nonsense since December’s 2-1 loss at Parkhead to their rivals. The likes of BBC pundit Tam McManus (Twitter) has predicted Rangers are now favourites for the title. Kris Boyd believes there is now no gap between the sides too (Sky Sports).
Celtic currently still sit top of the league and one point clear having played a game more. But the Bhoys were in the same position last year after Rangers pulled level with them on points.
Lenny, therefore, has bitten back at the idea that Rangers are ready to pounce on us. Speaking in comments published by the Daily Record, he claimed that it’s “premature” to get too excited across the city.
“I think it is very premature, yes. Looking at the league table I think we are still top of the league even though they have a game in hand.
“We won the (Betfred Cup) and up until then (the defeat to Rangers) we had won 11 (league) games in a row. So we are very positive about the second half of the season.
“So look, I can’t control what other people think. You expect it sometimes off the back of a defeat but a lot of people over the years have been proven wrong.”
Nothing to suggest Celtic aren’t up for the fight
How many times has this squad looked down only to bounce right back again? Questions have been asked of us in each and every season since Rangers came back into the league. We’ve consistently answered them.
Yes, we’ll all admit this is the best Rangers team we’ve faced during our period of domination. Steven Gerrard has managed to build a team of competent players who seem to be grinding out results for now. However, the likes of Boyd are getting far too excited.
Last season we all know what happened at this stage of the campaign. Rangers have still to prove they have the bottle for the upcoming fight – something many in this Celtic team have proven consistently.
It’s all well and good winning matches in September – December. Now we’re going to be getting into the crunch months of the season. A bigger spotlight and profile will be put on both club’s matches the longer the season goes on. Rangers have yet to prove they can drown out the pressure.
If they win their game in hand then they go one point clear at the top. May as well hand them the league then, eh? One point is nothing, and even the smallest blip will likely be pounced upon by this squad of serial Parkhead winners.
So Lenny is right to defend his club’s corner. Some want to forget about everything we’ve achieved over the last few years. Now’s the right time to remind the doubters why we are so successful.
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