‘What do I have to achieve to be accepted here?’

this job. It makes you work that little bit harder. Do I feel underestimated as a manager? Possibly, but I can’t control that. ‘I don’t think I’m the greatest thing since sliced bread. But I think I’m all right. I know how to win games and get results. ‘There aren’t many people who get the opportunity to manage a club like this for a second time — that makes me very proud. It’s a privilege and it makes me very driven. ‘You know if you’re getting heavily criticised — or being treated as God’s gift — it can change very quickly. ‘So it’s important you keep a perspective on everything, which is what we try to do. ‘I do think there’s been a little bit of anxiety around but there’s so much at stake. And the more titles you win and you get towards nine and ten (in a row), the more anxiety there’s going to be. ‘You just have to try and stay calm and stay patient and believe in what you’re doing.’ Steven Gerrard’s side were the bookmakers’ favourites to win Sunday’s Old Firm match but Lennon enjoyed upsetting the odds as much as he has in any past victory over Rangers as player or manager. ‘It’s up there, for many, many reasons,’ he said. ‘I couldn’t understand why we were underdogs. Rangers have improved and they’ve had some good results but everyone was overlooking the way we were playing and the results we were having. ‘We were an afterthought going into the game on Sunday and that was motivation for me and the players — not that we needed any extra motivation. ‘It was important to put in a strong performance and we were very, very comfortable winners. The players handled the game brilliantly.’ Meanwhile, Lennon has issued an update on his side’s defensive injury woes after Israel international Nir Bitton limped out of the Old Firm clash. ‘Nir will be out for three or four weeks,’ he said. ‘Kris Ajer will be ten days but we are hoping to have him back for the Hamilton match. Jozo Simunovic will need to see a specialist and we’ll take it from there.’