DON’T COUNT US OUT YET
RUGBY PARK, TONIGHT, 7.45, LIVE SKY SPORTS
FROM BACK PAGE shifting across to Ibrox in the wake of the Old Firm defeat to Rangers before the winter break.
Celtic have won 13 out of their last 14 domestic dust-ups, reclaimed the Betfred Cup and booked their place in the Scottish Cup last 16 in the first half of the campaign.
Lennon reckons critics have been too hasty in claiming the Parkhead club’s dominance is in decline.
He said: “It is very premature. Looking at the league table we are still top even though Rangers have a game in hand.
“We won the Betfred Cup and up until the Rangers game we had won 11 league games in a row.
“So we are 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.
“There seems to be a bit of doom and gloom around the place. Not here – but elsewhere.
“People say we staggered to a win at the weekend. I thought we were very comfortable.
“We’ve got to ignore that and just come out of the blocks and be as strong as we possibly can.
“After a defeat there is a bit of gloom malingering around the place.
“Not here but in general. It’s probably a modern-day phenomenon and you are only as good as your next game.
“We did well against Thistle, difficult opponents and a difficult pitch.
“We should have won by more and I am looking for the same at Kilmarnock.
“They can use the criticism as motivation. They’ve been through it before, they have good character and motivation.
“We’ll need all that going forward allied with the quality and will to win.”
Lennon insisted the title race is set for many more twists and turns but he has urged his men to be wary of any slip-ups on Kilmarnock’s artificial surface this evening.
He said: “I know from past experience going into the run-in that losing up at Inverness basically cost us the league that day.
“So you have to be right. You have to iron out the bad moments in the game.
“It’s too early to start talking about all that because there is still so much football to go.”
Lennon revealed Nir Bitton’s hamstring injury is not as bad as first feared but the defender is facing a few weeks out.
Hatem Abd Elhamed also received promising news over his groin issue.
The Hoops boss eased worries over the signing of Ismaili Soro – as he is confident the deal will be completed despite the red tape in Israel.
Lennon added: “He’s gone through the medical. There’s just the work permit and other paperwork.”