I WANT MORE!
Lennon on cloud nine after SPFL title call and admits he is already targeting ten in a row
NEIL LENNON last night savoured the completion of Celtic’s second nine in a row — and promised there is much more to come as his team chase a historic ten straight titles.
Crowned champions after the SPFL confirmed the curtailment of the Premiership, Lennon’s players equalled the achievement of Jock Stein’s side between 1966 and 1974.
Adamant that the historic achievement was only a milestone in an ongoing journey, Lennon stated: ‘I’ve been given this gift of managing the club for the second time. It’s a privilege.
‘I wouldn’t underestimate this season. The pressure was immense taking over from Brendan Rodgers.
‘He won everything domestically, so it was important for me to stay focused. But I’ve got a great backroom team. The work ethic and professionalism
rubs off on players. You inherit that and try to make it work. ‘It’s been really satisfying because I’ve come in on my own and I’ve taken it on. ‘These guys have worked with me and they’ve been amazing. ‘But I want more. I don’t want to stop now.’ Lennon’s fifth title as manager moves him up to third on Celtic’s all-time list, with only Willie Maley (16) and Jock Stein (ten) now ahead of him. ‘To be on that pantheon of managers is fantastic,’ added Lennon. ‘I’m 48 — still relatively young. I’ve still got a lot to learn and a lot to achieve. ‘I’ve got incentives and targets. I don’t want to stop now. I want to look back on my career as I did as a player and say that was pretty good.’ Neck and neck with Rangers at the turn of the year, Celtic were relentless thereafter, winning 28 points from 30 to open up a 13-point gap when the season was ended with eight games to go. Asked to rate this title with the others he’s presided over as manager, Lennon said: ‘This is the best. Going into the season, we knew that nine was within our grasp and yet it was also so far away. ‘It was a pressure season but we smashed it, particularly in the second half of the season when some of our football was outstanding. ‘We were on track for 100 goals and 100 points, with our consistency and quality really pleasing, along with our exciting brand of football. ‘To be stood here as the manager of nine titles in a row is something you dream about and it feels amazing.’ Lennon says anyone trying to belittle Celtic’s achievement due to the curtailment of the league needs a reality check. ‘I can’t stop people trying to put a negative spin on what we were achieving,’ he added. ‘But I don’t think anyone could have not foreseen us winning the league with the way we were playing, the form and consistency we showed. ‘No one could keep up with us.’