Rangers’ Andy Halliday praises Celtic manager Neil Lennon

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Andy Halliday praise for Neil Lennon isn’t a phrase we thought we would be saying this summer.

But it turns out that the Ibrox man believes the Celtic boss deserves credit for the work he’s done in Glasgow so far.

Lennon came in at a moment’s notice back in February after Brendan Rodgers jumped ship to Leicester City. He then managed to steer Celtic over the line domestically to secure their third consecutive treble.

Meanwhile, Rangers, who you thought may have been rejuvenated when they saw Rodgers had departed, slumped to a nine-point deficit behind Celtic come the end of the season. Halliday even managed to credit it in the Evening Times, as he said the following:

“You have to give Neil credit because he came in and got them over the line. The two targets he had since taking over, he achieved it. We just have to concentrate on ourselves and try to bridge that points gap again from last season.”

Andy Halliday praise will be brushed off by Lennon

Yes, it’s composed and probably meant as a compliment by the Rangers man. But any Andy Halliday praise will surely be taken with a pinch of salt by the current Celtic manager.

Resting on our laurels at a time like this is unthinkable. Credit to Lennon, however, as he hasn’t been one to try and bask in the moment of the treble treble and act as though his job was finished. Very quickly, Lennon is back looking to improve the squad, with not a mention of the treble treble being had since we returned to pre-season training.

Many Celtic fans will have different expectations this season. For some, it will be a quadruple treble and ensuring our tip-top standards remain intact. Others will perhaps glance at the Champions League and want to make inroads in that.

Nine-in-a-row is the primary goal

For the most part, however, another league title to take us to nine-in-a-row is the primary aim. We’re now at the stage where losing a title would be infamous in our history, and would go down as one of the darkest days we’ve had in a long time. Only when the 10 is reached will many be able to look past domestic success.

But one thing Halliday said that was quite pertinent is the points gap. Rangers are looking to eat into it. Lennon will do himself absolutely no harm if he can replicate or even extend the points gap between the sides this season. It’s not a primary goal, but it would ease any concerns that Rangers are getting closer to us.

In the end, however, Lennon will simply be targeting the lot. Domestic success and qualification to the Champions League group stages will be the goals. That’s the perfectionist Lennon is, and those standards have helped bring this kind of praise from rivals.