Underdog tag suits me fine, says Hoops boss Lennon

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is happy to go into Sunday’s clash with Rangers at Ibrox as underdogs on the form they have shown.

All the major bookmakers have selected Rangers as favourites to win the first derby of the Ladbrokes Premiership season in Glasgow.

Steven Gerrard’s men won both Ibrox meetings last season and are unbeaten this term, joining Celtic in the Europa League group stages with a late win over Legia Warsaw on Thursday night.

Celtic’s only defeat came against Cluj in the Champions League, while they have now scored 39 goals and shipped 12 following their 4-1 victory over AIK in Sweden.

And Lennon – whose side will face Cluj again in the Europa League group stages along with Lazio and Rennes – was surprised but not disappointed to find they were rated as outsiders.

“If the bookies think Rangers are favourite then good, that suits me fine,” he said.

“I don’t know why because our form has been fantastic. We are in goalscoring form, we are winning games convincingly, so it’s not bad being underdogs with the way we are playing at the minute. I’ll take that.”

While Rangers will have to handle growing expectations, Lennon is confident his players will cope with their fans’ demands.

“The players over the last few years have dealt with pressure situations very, very well,” he said.

Kristoffer Ajer was rated a major doubt after going off with a groin strain early in Stockholm, but the key defender is optimistic of facing Rangers.

Right-back Moritz Bauer could also be involved following his loan move from Stoke.