Lennon set for emotional trip to Parkhead

NEIL LENNON fears this weekend’s return to Celtic Park may prove an emotionally shattering experience — for all the wrong reasons. The Hibernian boss will return there on official match business for the first time since masterminding Celtic’s 3-1 end-of-season victory over Dundee United on May 11, 2014. That win took the runaway champions to the 99-point mark, only for Lennon to quit within a fortnight, before accepting the Bolton job just a few months later. He will receive the warmest of receptions from home fans on Saturday following two trophy-laden spells in Glasgow’s east end as manager and player. But Lennon (right) is more concerned about being put through the emotional wringer by Brendan Rodgers’ all-conquering team rather than the pre-match reception. Fresh from a hard-earned victory away at Ross County, he insisted that Hibs’ performance will be the priority. ‘Celtic is obviously a very special club for me personally,’ said Lennon. ‘It will be a bit emotional — surreal, even — going back there into the opposition dugout. ‘But once the plaudits are over, it might be a difficult 90 minutes for us to pull through. We just have to prepare as best we possibly can. ‘I would never say the reception means nothing, of course it does, but as Hibs manager I will have plenty else to focus on. ‘Celtic have a game in midweek against Anderlecht, which is always an advantage come the weekend because those games can take a lot out of you. ‘We need to make the most of any advantage we can get.’ It will be Hibs’ first trip to Parkhead since a 1-0 defeat in December 2013 when Lennon was Celtic boss. A huge admirer of the levels to which Rodgers has elevated the champions, he added: ‘Celtic are very spirited. They seem to have found their groove. They were very impressive in the snippets of the Old Firm game I saw. ‘They are an exceptionally good team and, when they really turn it on, they can damage you and score from every position. ‘Whatever way you set up, they can still find a way to beat you. ‘I don’t know what way I’m going to play. If I go and sit in, and we lose 1-0 or 3-0, I’ll be raging. If we have a go at them and lose 5-0, then I’ll be raging!’ Accepting he might lose a few pals if Hibs end Celtic’s 57-match unbeaten domestic run, he added: ‘If we win, you won’t see me for a month!’