HEADY TIMES FOR LENNON...
Manager delighted at unlikely goal hero
NEIL Lennon last night admitted he h ad b e en l e f t rubbing his eyes after seeing James Forrest net a rare header in a 2- 1 victory over St Mirren that that moved Celtic to within three points of Rangers.
The Parkhead club fell behind to an early Lee Erwin goal in the Premiership game at the Simple Digital Arena, but fought back well to triumph thanks to goals from Shane Duffy and Forrest.
Lennon, whose side has a game in hand still to play, confessed he was surprised when his winger nodded in what proved to be the winner.
“Ryan [ Christie] has flipped it in on the angle and it’s as brilliantly guided header by James,” he said. “It was a bullet. We were all taken aback by it on the bench and rubbing our eyes.
“He’s a player who goes under the radar but he’s scored so many important goals for us and he’s done it again tonight. It’s a collector’s item.”
Lennon, whose side can go top of the table if they beat Livingston at home on Saturday, admitted the lack of atmosphere in stadiums is having a detrimental impact on his players.
“It’s difficult because there are no supporters,” he said. “I think it’s really difficult for them, especially at a big club like ours. But they are adapting to the environment as well as anyone.
“You get a head of steam up in a game and normally you get the atmosphere crackling. It gives the players a lift and there is none of that at the minute. So there is a bit of adaptation. It’s not an excuse, but there is not a big crowd there to enjoy it and enjoy the atmosphere.”
Meanwhile, Jim Goodwin, the St Mirren manager, claimed that Celtic centre- half Duffy had handled a cross in the first- half and called for VAR to be introduced.
“People will be sick and tired of my whining voice, but unfortunately I am disappointed that we didn’t get a penalty in the first half,” he said. “I am not for one minute suggesting that Shane Duffy deliberately handled the ball, but he definitely did hand ball it.
“Maybe the conversation we should be having is ‘ where are we going to find the money to get VAR.”