There aren’t many cities across the footballing world that can match or surpass the heat that Glasgow brings with Celtic and Rangers.
It’s a pressure cooker like no other, with Celtic winning two from two at the start of the 2025/26 Premiership campaign, and new Rangers boss Russell Martin having a mixed start to his tenure.
Neil Lennon has felt that pressure as a player, but also as the manager, and he wanted to calm certain people down over what he is hearing.
- READ MORE: ‘This club’ – Russell Martin tells the brutal truth to Rangers fans amid Celtic dominance
Neil Lennon on Celtic and Rangers noise
On Saturday evening, Rangers dropped points at Dundee, in the middle of winning their first-leg Champions League qualifier against Viktoria Plzen in a comprehensive manner, and after an opening day draw at Motherwell.
In the meantime, Celtic have maximum points, but Lennon doesn’t like the noise around Rodgers, as he cited criticism over the Irishman’s ‘style of play.’
The legendary midfielder wanted to shut all of this down by stating it’s ‘ridiculous’, including how there are people vying for blood in Glasgow, as he told talkSPORT.
“No, (the title race isn’t over already), it’s early days,” said Lennon. “With Rangers, they have to qualify for the Champions League, so there are mitigating circumstances.
“I always feel, with this time of year, because you are playing tough European games in midweek, and then having to play against a team that is really motivated. I had problems myself as a manager in those sorts of spells.
“But the blood lust up here is just ridiculous. We are talking one or two games, and people are questioning his (Martin’s) tenure.
“Then, you got on the other side of the city, people criticising Brendan or his style of play when they have made a perfect start to the season. You have just got to be laser focused, try to block out the noise and not listen to it.”
Ally McCoist added: “That’s amazing. Nobody knows that place better. That’s incredible. I don’t understand it.”
Lennon: “It’s ridiculous.”
Lennon explains what Celtic have that Rangers don’t
Even though Rangers won two Glasgow derbies last season, and that under two different managers, Celtic still won the title by 17 points.
It was rare for Rodgers to lose against Rangers, because he had only lost once in this fixture before January, but the trophies were still put on the table.
Lennon highlighted what Rangers lack, which Celtic have, and is ‘the difference between the top players and the top teams.’
“See, when I was a player, and you are playing against Manchester United, Ray’s (Parlour) team at Arsenal, and that great team in the late 90s,” said Lennon.
“Subconsciously, you have got yourself up for it, no problem! Then, you go away to Wimbledon, the week after, and you find it difficult to go again. That’s the difference between the top players and the top teams.
“But at Rangers and Celtic, it’s a given, because teams are coming for you. Whether they are not good enough to beat you or not, they are going to play their very best because they are playing on the big stage in Scotland. That’s what I think Rangers are struggling with.”
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