FIFTEEN IN A ROW
Lennon would love to shatter all the records
NEIL LENNON last night admitted he would love to guide Celtic all the way to 15-in-a-row.
The SPFL Premiership champions begin their quest for a ninth consecutive championship at home to St Johnstone today.
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers are desperate to win their 55th title amidst claims the gap between the sides has closed.
However, Lennon believes Celtic are in good shape to reach the club’s holy grail of Ten-in-a-row unscathed.
And — currently sitting on 50 league titles — it’s his dream to make it to 55 first.
‘Everyone is waiting for the run to end,’ said the Celtic boss, ‘but we need to stay strong.
‘It’s Groundhog Year. We are up to eight but I’d
like to get to 12, 13, 14 — because I’m greedy. Let’s make it to 15. We’re already halfway there.’ Admitting Celtic’s squad have drawn motivation from claims they are on the slide and vulnerable to a renewed Rangers challenge, Lennon conceded: ‘We do feel that. Some people are negative and waiting for things to spiral but we are in control at the moment. ‘I don’t know if the talk is more so than usual but there’s a lot of it we’re not privy to and we don’t pay any attention to.’ Celtic are currently halfway through a quest to negotiate four rounds of Champions League qualifying, their trip to face CFR Cluj following today’s league curtainraiser. Anticipating no new signings before the flight to Romania, Lennon added: ‘The league is the priority. We’ve been decent in the Champions League and want to keep that going against St Johnstone and then in to Cluj. ‘We’re fighting on two fronts at the present moment in time.’ After 12 goals in four European games against Sarajevo and Estonian champions Nomme Kalju, Lennon believes his side are in good shape entering a critical few weeks. ‘Yeah, it’s been nice and calm,’ he said. ‘The players are playing well and in good condition. ‘Basically, apart from Tom (Rogic) and Kieran (Tierney), everybody is more or less fully fit now as well going into what potentially could be eight games this month. Four in the league and four in Europe. ‘The squad has to be strong and we need that depth as well.’ Lennon anticipates a third bid from Arsenal to finally sign Tierney for £25million before the English transfer deadline on Thursday, but is no further forward with new signings for his own team. Asked if any new arrivals were imminent, he said: ‘No. It will be quiet now. ‘I wouldn’t imagine anything before Monday, so we go with what we’ve got for tomorrow and Cluj.’