PERFECT TENS LEAVE LENNON IN RAPTURES
Celtic boss gives his players top marks after teaching Hibs a lesson
NEIL LENNON has endured some stick from his own people in recent weeks. Amongst the complaints levelled at him by a Celtic support spoiled by the relentless grind of domestic success is a habit of over-praising his players after games.
Awarding his side a perfect ten for a dominant win over high-flying Hibernian, some will think he was at it again. This time, it was hard to put up much of an argument.
Even without Odsonne Edouard in the starting line-up, this was more like it from Celtic.
Jeremie Frimpong picked up where he left off in Riga, captain Scott Brown turned in his best performance of the season, Callum McGregor opened the scoring, Mohamed Elyounoussi made it two in two games and new signing David Turnbull looked a class act when he appeared as a substitute.
Even the injuries to Ryan Christie and Albian Ajeti — the Premiership’s new top scorer with five goals in six games — couldn’t darken Lennon’s demeanour afterwards.
‘It was ten out of ten,’ purred the Celtic manager. ‘The best of the season. One of the best of my time as manager, first or second time around.
‘I thought we were outstanding and I thought that the football we played was brilliant.
‘We defended when we had to — really well. It was an outstanding all-round performance.
‘I’m pleased, it was a big game for us. Hibs came here having not dropped a point away from home.
‘We were miles ahead in all departments and I was really, really pleased.’
Lennon expects this final week of the transfer window to be ‘fraught’.
Much more so, in the end, than what proved a comfortable win over Hibs.
Striker Edouard has admirers in England. And while Celtic would rather Aston Villa, Crystal Palace or Brighton kept any bids to themselves, questions over the Frenchman’s commitment to the cause have reared their head in recent days. With ten in a row on the line, selling him was already unthinkable to supporters — even before this three-goal win racked up an eighth straight victory. The sight of £5million signing Ajeti pulling up made it a more daunting prospect still. James Forrest will undergo a scan on an injury today and fellow Scotland international Christie will follow suit after limping from the fray at half-time.
Yet the performance of £3m Turnbull as Christie’s replacement helped to offset any anxiety. Frimpong, meanwhile, forced teenage Hibs full-back Josh Doig to be pulled off at half-time for his own good.
‘Jeremie has been a bit off-colour in previous weeks,’ said Lennon. ‘But he was back to form on Thursday (against Riga) and brilliant today.
‘Again, with the amount of games we have, we have to be careful we don’t overdo it with him because he provides so much enthusiasm and energy and quality to the team.
‘But he was a real catalyst for everything to get us going, to get the game on the front foot. He was outstanding.’
Hibs were looking for their first win at Celtic Park in ten years. On paper, this looked a decent chance to get it.
Yet Celtic claimed the first goal after just seven minutes. McGregor’s second goal of the season was a rasping low effort from 25 yards, aided and abetted by the fact he had all the time in the world to pick his spot.
Some teams go to Celtic Park, lose an early goal and crumble. Watched from the directors’ box by owner Ron Gordon, you never felt that was happening to Hibs.
There were great contests in every area of the pitch. Greg Taylor and Martin Boyle went at it hammer and tongs. Kevin Nisbet barely gave Shane Duffy a minute of peace. When the big Irishman misjudged a
ball down the flank, Nisbet cut the ball back for Christian Doidge. The striker skimmed the junction of post and crossbar with a rising shot and Celtic survived. Boyle then saw a thumping, dipping long-range shot dip just inches over the bar.
In Frimpong, Celtic always had a counter-attacking threat. The former Manchester City academy player tortured Doig with his pace and energy. Predictably, he was involved when Celtic crafted a second after 35 minutes.
Christie skipped into the area and laid the ball square to Elyounoussi after Frimpong left it. The Norwegian was in a tight spot but showed lovely footwork to prod an effort towards goal. Ofir Marciano dived full length to produce a fine save, but he couldn’t stop Ajeti slotting home his fifth Celtic goal.
For Celtic, it was a costly strike in more ways than one. Ajeti’s game was cut short by what looked like a hamstring problem.
Christie also tumbled to the ground at the same time and made way for Turnbull at half-time. Far from weakening Celtic, the team stepped it up.
Hibs had keeper Marciano to thank for keeping them in the contest. The Israeli produced fine stops from international team-mate Nir Bitton, Brown, Turnbull and McGregor.
The best Hibs effort came from a thundering half-volley from Nisbet, blocked bravely by Duffy when keeper Vasilis Barkas failed — not for the first time — to command his area.
A Hibs goal would have teed up an interesting climax to the game. Yet Celtic removed the element of doubt with 11 minutes to play, a delightfully-weighted through ball from Turnbull allowing Elyounoussi to slide it low into the net.
‘Turnbull did well,’ said Lennon. ‘Showed great vision and looked comfortable in his environment. He has a bit of work to do. But I was really pleased with his contribution for the third goal and he looked assured out there.
‘We think he is a very talented young Scottish player and we are delighted to have him. You will see more of him as he goes on.’
CELTIC (3-5-2): Barkas 5; Bitton 6, Duffy 6, Ajer 6; Frimpong 8, Brown 7 (Ntcham 81), McGregor 7 (Soro 85), Christie 6 (Turnbull 46), Taylor 7; Elyounoussi 7 (Klimala 81), Ajeti 6 (Edouard 37). Subs not used: Bain, Griffiths, Rogic, Elhamed. Booked: None. HIBERNIAN (4-4-2): Marciano 7; McGinn 5, Porteous 5, Hanlon 5, Doig 3 (Stevenson 46); Boyle 5, Gogic 6, Newell 7, Wright 4 (Murphy 53); Doidge 5 (Mallan 83), Nisbet 6. Subs not used: Barnes, Gray, McGregor, Hallberg, Shanley, Gullan. Booked: Newell, McGinn. Man of the match: Jeremie Frimpong. Referee: Steven McLean.