Lennon set to pick and choose games for Hoops skipper
Neil Lennon has declared his intention to manage Scott Brown’s workload this season to be sure of having him fit for Celtic’s crunch games.
The Hoops skipper is now 35, and has already given up international football to focus his energies on helping his club achieve their goals. “It is common sense to keep on top of his output,” said his manager. “Brownie knows he will not be able to play all the games as well. But he is very, very fit, as he always has been.
“He is injury- free and his form is good because in these last few games he has really been coming into his own.
“So we will have a conversation with him as we go along about dipping in and out of the side.
“We will see if there are games where he could do with putting his feet up, or getting a bit of breathing space, so we can ensure we have him ready for the really-intense games.
“That is important because those are where his experience and quality are most valuable.”
This week sees the Scottish champions travel to Latvia to face Riga, a club who were only formed half-a-dozen years ago and have five Brazilians in their squad. “You can’ t underestimate any of these teams. They may incorporate Brazilians, and that will bring a different culture and a different style,” said Lennon.
“Obviously, they will need to be adapted to. I think it is a difficult tie for us.
“I watched Latvia play Andorra, believe it or not, because there was a possibility we could face Riga and, of course, they got a result against Fiori on Friday.
“I actually played there with Northern Ireland a long, long, time ago, back in the Nineties, and over the years they have produced some decent players.
“I don’t think their football is as strong as it was 10- 15 years ago, but I’m not going to say it’s a walkover, far from it.
“We’ll do our analysis over the next few days. I think we’ll have to go out there a day earlier, on the Tuesday.
“We have had a good number of games now, and are ready.
“We know European football is important. We are out of the Champions League, so we have to endeavour to play our best away from home, and get a good result.
“We want to qualify for the Europa League’s Group stages.
“With Riga there is a bit of travelling to do, there is a bit of logistics.
“It will probably be a little bit different to what we are used to for a European tie.”