PREMIERSHIP LIVE
COMETH THE HOUR COMETH THE MANAGER
NEIL LENNON had just a one-hour gathering with his team before their nerve-shredding triumph on his return to the Celtic hotseat.
He savoured a stunning start to his second spell when Odsonne Edouard’s injury-winner sank Hearts to keep his team eight points clear at the top of the Premiership.
The manager paid tribute to assistants John Kennedy and Damien Duff afterwards, having confirmed he had barely had time to meet his entire squad before taking his place in the technical area.
Lennon said: “I only met them as a group an hour before we left for the hotel. They lost Brendan then the quick turnaround and that’s not easy for them.
“They covered themselves in glory again and they’re all right now, they’re in good spirits, so I’m delighted. It was an emotional night for myself and it was great to win.
“It was really nerve-wracking beforehand. Knots in the stomach, that type of stuff, because you don’t want to let people down. In the end, it’s a great relief and a lot of joy.
“It’s only one game and there’s still a long way to go but psychologically for me it’s a huge step forward. Having spoken to Peter (Lawwell), John and Damien, they wanted me in the dugout and it’s a really good feeling.
“It’s not my team. It will take time to get adjusted to me and vice versa but it’s a new voice and I’m really happy for them.
“They are a very good group and I have to pay a huge amount of credit to John for the way he set the team up and Damien as well. They can take as much credit for the win as me. They have done a tremendous job for me over the past couple of days.”
Lennon saw his team drag a win from the fire against the 10 men, having gifted Hearts a route back into the contest.
He said: “We just gave Hearts a lifeline we didn’t need to give.
“We didn’t lose control of the game but we gave them something to hang onto and we didn’t need to do that.
“We should have been in total control of the game but I can’t knock the players.”
NEIL LENNON ON HIS RAPID RETURN