The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
No resting on laurels for Lennon as Dons await
Neil Lennon called for calm after Celtic’s thrilling Europa League win over Lazio on Thursday night.
The Scottish champions maintained their position at the top of Group E with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Serie A side thanks to a late header from French defender Christopher Jullien, after midfielder Ryan Christie had cancelled out a first-half goal from Manuel Lazzari.
Celtic moved on to seven points from three fixtures ahead of the return game in Rome in two weeks.
Asked if 10 points would secure qualification the Northern Irishman, now preparing for the trip to Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership tomorrow, said: “You would like to think so because you always feel that other clubs would take points off each other.
“What we have done is made a great start to the group and I can’t ask any more than maximum points at home and picking up a point away from home.
“There is no guarantee of us picking up another point in the group so we have to calm down.
“We have enjoyed the night. It was a titanic game and one that we want to bring to Celtic Park on a regular basis but we have to regroup now and we have a big game on Sunday to concentrate on.”
Lennon gave himself only a “couple of hours” to enjoy the win before thinking about the Dons and staying top of the table. He admits he is wary of Derek McInnes’s Aberdeen, who are coming off a terrific 3-0 win at Motherwell.
He said: “The quality of the goals they scored against Motherwell, who were flying, that is a really impressive result.
“It doesn’t surprise me with him and Tony (Docherty, assistant) and the way they have managed that club over the past few years has been so impressive.
“They are getting their reward for showing patience with (Sam) Cosgrove, and the likes of Niall McGinn is still there, and experienced players allied with some new faces.”