Lennon insists Celts are still clear favourites

despite the obvious regression of the doubleTreble winners seeking an eighth title in a row.

However, Lennon, who won eight league titles as a Celtic player and manager, believes normal service will soon be resumed even if Brendan Rodgers’ side will find it tougher over this campaign.

Lennon said: “Is there a title race on? I don’t see why not. With the investment Rangers have made in their squad and the improvement of other clubs, it will be far more competitive.

“But I still think Celtic will win the league, simply because of their strength in depth.

“Once they hit the ground running Celtic are going to be a hard team to stop.

“I would like to think we’ll be there or there abouts. I’m just not sure we’re consistent enough. To say we would be in the running would be folly. I don’t know what Craig Levein would say about Hearts but it would be very difficult.

“It takes a lot of mental strength and it takes a lot of consistency.

“And you need to be able to handle the big games, the pressure games, better than most.

“As you’ve seen over the last couple of years, Celtic have done that better than anybody – by a long, long way.”

Lennon recalled times when his Celtic teams would struggle, which would cause concern among the support, but they still managed to find a way to win.

Lennon said: “I have seen this many times before over the years under Martin [O’Neill] and Gordon [Strachan]. I experienced it myself as a manager.

“I still think Celtic will win the league. They are going through a little bit of a blip.”