Cup victory would mean so much to Celtic boss

NEIL Lennon believes securing a quadruple domestic treble for Celtic would be a “monumental” achievement.

The Parkhead side get the chance to win a historic 12th successive trophy when they face Championship side Hearts in the delayed 2020 William Hill Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on Sunday.

Speaking on a pre-recorded video at Celtic’s annual general meeting, which was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, the boss was asked what the achievement would mean for him and the club.

He said: “It’s unprecedented. “You’re talking about trying to win a fourth treble in consecutive seasons. That’s monumental. And I think it would mean so much to the players.

“From my own personal point of view it would mean a hell of a lot.

“We’ve put a lot of work into the season, even though it’s now overlapping into this season.

“Since 2000 we’ve won four trebles, incredible – and this could be the fifth. And I don’t think we’ll ever see the likes of it again.

“So it’s one to look forward to and I think the players are very much motivated by it.

“Hopefully, we can come away with another really important piece of silverware to bring home for the club and the supporters.”

Chief executive Peter Lawwell reiterated his support for Lennon despite seeing his side slip 13 points adrift of leaders Rangers at the top of the Premiership.

He said: “Neil’s credentials as a Celtic man and as a manager are there for everyone to see.

“He came back in February, 2019. He probably had everything to lose and nothing much to win.

“But he came in, did a fantastic job, won us the league, the cup, the treble treble.

“He then took on the team again, we won the League Cup beating Rangers in the final and we won the group section of the Europa League.

“We then get our nine in a row title and he has got us into the Scottish Cup final next week which is hopefully the unprecedented quadruple treble.

“So he was the man in February 2019, he was the man for it last summer, and we believe he is the man for it just now.

“He has the trust and confidence of the players, he has the trust and confidence of his backroom staff and we believe at this particular time he is the best man to try and recover this deficit in the league and get us on to 10 in a row.”

Lawwell admits he can “fully understand” the elements of fan unrest at the club.

He said: “We are all Celtic supporters here. I can understand the frustration and disappointment that in a big year we have had such a difficult run over the last eight weeks, and that’s what it is, eight weeks.

“It is going to be very difficult in this big year for the league but we haven’t given up. We will go and do everything we can to get the league this year.”