The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Lennon still upbeat after draw with Dons
CELTIC 0 ABERDEEN 0
Interim Celtic boss Neil Lennon stressed that the goalless draw against Aberdeen at Parkhead on Saturday was “by no means a disaster” as the Hoops moved a week closer to an eighth successive Ladbrokes Premiership title.
After taking over from Brendan Rodgers last month until the end of the season, the former Parkhead captain and manager guided his side to wins at Hearts and Hibernian but found the Dons too tough a nut to crack as they dropped points at home for the first time this season.
However, Rangers’ 1-1 draw with Hibs at Easter Road on Friday night means Celtic’s eightpoint lead over their Old Firm rivals was restored with nine games remaining as they prepare for the trip to struggling Dundee next week.
Lennon said: “It is a point and no damage is done really.
“We can play better and we know that. It has been a difficult week, 10 days for us, three really difficult games, but we are unbeaten.
“You want to win your home games. We didn’t work their goalkeeper enough, we were a little bit pedestrian, our final ball wasn’t great and we lacked a bit of urgency.
“We need to work harder in the games now to get over the line as quickly as possible.”
Aberdeen will take massive confidence from their performance as they turn their attention to their William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final replay against Rangers at Ibrox tomorrow night.
Boss Derek Mcinnes claimed the draw was “a fair result” and will embrace another tough game in Glasgow, where he will be without suspended striker Sam Cosgrove.
The Dons gaffer said: “I actually feel that we were quite relaxed coming into the game.
“We had a lot of young players out there today and there will be even more belief going into the next game, if they needed it.
“We have won in Glasgow plenty recently and the intention is to get the club into a semi-final, as difficult a task as it will be.”
David Turnbull and Jake Hastie continued their goalscoring spree as Motherwell wrapped up a derby win over Hamilton before half-time at Fir Park.
Turnbull, twice, and Hastie were on target in a one-sided first half as Motherwell recorded a 3-0 victory to move two points off the Ladbrokes Premiership top six.