Sport: Lennon on ‘hiding to nothing’
● If Celtic win cup, credit will go to Rodgers but if they lose it’ll be interim manager’s fault
Derek Mcinnes believes Neil Lennon is on a “hiding to nothing” as the Celtic interim manager seeks to complete a triple treble.
Lennon is the unenviable position of knowing he can only fail as Celtic prepare to face Mcinnes’ Aberdeen side in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semifinal. A victory would be perceived as expected as Celtic look to close out a third successive clean sweep of domestic trophies. Brendan Rodgers has claimed the seven-in-a-row to date but left to join Leicester City in February. Lennon, who weeks earlier had parted company with Hibernian, was recruited as caretaker and looks certain to lead his side to the league title in the coming weeks. But Celtic’s treble ambitions hinge on Sunday’s clash with Aberdeen and Mcinnes claims no one will be putting more pressure on Lennon than the Northern Irishman himself.
The Aberdeen manager does not see why Lennon’s arrival should make a difference to Celtic’s status as favourites to win the trophy. But Lennon’s presence in the dugout does lend a different dynamic to the occasion.
“It’s still the same players,” said Mcinnes. “They’ve got players who can turn the game in an instant. In terms of the managers, both have been successful Celtic managers, Brendan and Neil. He [Lennon] is actually on a hiding to
nothing. If he wins the league he’s already said it’s Brendan’s team and been really gracious about that. If he wins the cup, people will say that [too].
“But if he loses the cup it’s Neil’s team and I think the only pressure on Neil will be from himself. I’m pretty sure that the people within Celtic are well aware of his abilities.”
Mcinnes does not believe Lennon’s fate should depend on whether he wins the cup or not. He argued that since this wouldn’t have been the case for Rodgers why should it apply to Lennon?
“People wouldn’t have looked any differently if Brendan Rodgers didn’t win the cup this season if he was still in charge,” Mcinnes said. “His job wouldn’t have been in jeopardy. For me, the fact that
they’ve given Neil the opportunity in a difficult situation, regardless of how the season plays out for him in the cup, whether it’s us beating them or whether he loses a final, I’m sure the people inside Celtic know of his capabilities. You wouldn’t like to think that hehastowinacuptogetthe Celtic job. I would be very surprised if that’s the case.”
Although Lennon has only been in charge for seven matches, Mcinnes reckons it is possible to discern slight
differences between Rodgers’ team and that of his successor which are reflective of their personalities. “Brendan’s team were far more controlled, deliberate with their work, controlling games and more patient,” he said. “Neil’s team are bit more ‘here I am’, right in your face and like to show you what they’ve got.
“Any team at times can mirror their manager and what they want. There’s no huge difference. It’s down to the players and they’re good players so Neil will recognise that he’s been fortunate to inherit a strong squad. Whether it’s the end of the season or next season when he starts to put more of his stamp on the team, [we will see].”
It’s normally the first question he has to deal with. Derek Mcinnes noted how telling it was that it was among the last yesterday. Forsolon g, and this pre-dated the curlost rent manager’s time, Aberdeen were considered soft touches when playing the Old Firm in Glasgow. But this perceived mental block has been firmly flung aside by a young, vibrant Aberdeen side justifiably able to head to Hampden Park to face Celtic on Sunday with confidence. Having already beaten Celtic at Celtic Park at the end of last season and drawn with them there a few weeks ago, the supposed lack of mettle is not now the issue it once was. In addition, Mcinnes’ side have beaten Rangers three times this season in Glasgow – once at Hampden to reach the Betfred Cup final and twice at Ibrox, most recently when booking a place in Sunday’s semi-final.
“I didn’t think [the mental block] was ever there,” said Mcinnes. “I have said this before about
people talking about our big game mentality – we play more big games than most. We win big games and lose big games. It’s just the way it is.
“I was always comfortable going to Glasgow but here’s a thing – the Glasgow question came right at the end of the press conference. It used to be my first question. That says a lot.”
It was a night just days after Aberdeen had a fiercely contested Betfred Cup final against Celtic that underlined to the manager how his side had evolved. Mcinnes might have assembled more talented s q uads at Pittodrie, but there’s not been a group of players who deserve to have such faith in their abilities.
Aberdeen are benefiting from the influx of those unburdened by the memory of serial failures on big occasions.
Mcinnes recalled being made aware of evidence of this new mental fortitude during his tenman side’s victory over Rangers in early December after Sam Cosgrove’s early red card [Alfredo Morelos was also later sent off for the hosts].
This wasn’t a revelation in relation to comparative veterans in Andrew Considine and Graeme Shinnie, who is suspended from Sunday’s clash. But Mcinnes claims the confidence surging through teenagers like Lewis Ferguson and, in particular, Connor Mclennan was almost visible that night.
“I saw Ferguson and Mclennan actually g row in that game – when we needed more they gave it,” he said. “Sometimes when more is needed that’s when you find out a lot about your players. “Ferguson had let me know before that night, and we knew about [Scott] Mckenna. But certainly Mclennan, [left]. He was the one who carried the fight and kept the ball for us that night and showed resilience – there was no flakiness, no anxiety. That’s what I feel about this team, this squad. They just deal with the game.
“We have missed [Gary] Mackay-steven, Ryan Christie from last season and Kenny Mclean – guys who can make a difference. I certainly think we have gained in other areas. That’s come to the fore this season in some of the bigger games.”
Mclennan built on that performance to star for Aberdeen in the more recent 2-0 Scottish Cup replay win at Ibrox. Ferguson, meanwhile, had already scored the winner over Rangers at Hampden in the League Cup semi-final.
Conscious of the need to let Mclennan know he always has something else to prove, Mcinnes stressed he still expects more from the 19-year-old, who set up his side’s second goal in his side’s 2-0 win over Dundee on Saturday.
“He has been good – very good – but I know he is better than what other people are seeing,” said Mcinnes. “I am looking for those big performances from him on the ball. There’s demands on our wider and more creative players to do their bit for the team and he shown that side, that trustworthiness. That pleases me no end.”
Mcinnes will need his young players to step up again this weekend due to Shinnie’s absence. Mckenna, 22, will deputise as captain while 18-year-old Dean Campbell is among the manager’s options to replace Shinnie in midfield. Mcinnes is unsure to what extent the loss of such as a leader will have on the team.
“I can only really answer that on Sunday night after the game – how much of an influence he may have been,” he said. “My players will be reading this. I can’t sit and dwell on it.
“Of course I would love Shinnie to be there but he isn’t – we’ve known that for a while. Do I think it is harsh? Two bookings in five cup games? Yes, I do think it is harsh.
“You want your best players playing and he is obviously a key player, but I have known for a while he is not available. There is not any merit in me talking about it too much.
“We have been without key players already this season,” he said. “It is probably the season we have suffered most from injuries and in turn you find out more about others. We will find out a lot about my team on Sunday.”
“Sometimes when more is needed that’s when you find out a lot about your players. Ferguson had let me know, and we knew about
Mckenna. But certainly Mclennan. He was the one who carried the fightfor us that night and showed resilience. There was no flakiness. That’s what I feel about this
team. They just deal with
the game”