Lennon: We don’t get the credit we deserve
NEIL LENNON last night claimed that his players’ achievements are being taken for granted.
Five points clear of Rangers ahead of tomorrow’s Premiership showdown at Parkhead, Betfred Cup winners and into the last 32 of the Europa League after winning their group, the Celtic manager says he could not have asked for any more from his squad as the first segment of the season comes to a close. Perplexed as to why such a rich vein of form has not been more widely recognised, Lennon believes that his personality might have something to do with it.
Asked if there had been enough
credit for a record that has seen his team accrue ten more points than at this juncture last season, he said: ‘No, they are not. I don’t know why. ‘This group have improved performances, maturity, their dominance. It’s not an easy thing to do and they keep going and going. ‘In the end, people switch off to that because they take it for granted. I can’t and I don’t think they are getting the credit they deserve this year. ‘Maybe it’s because I’m the manager. If someone else was the manager, they might get all the glitz and glamour that goes with it. But I think it’s getting underplayed what they’ve done in the first half of the season. Not by me, though. I’m thrilled and proud of them. ‘I’d like them to finish off on a high in what has been a great year for me personally and for the club.’ Celtic moved on to 99 goals for the campaign to date with the 2-1 win at St Mirren on Boxing Day. But Lennon feels even that remarkable return hasn’t been enough to silence the snipers. ‘I can’t ask for any more than what I am getting from them at the moment,’ he added. ‘People still want to try to pick holes in that — and I get it. But you are never going to have the perfect team. ‘If you did, you’d get bored as you’d be winning 5-0 every week. The consistency, the style of football and fitness levels — all under intense scrutiny — delight me.’ Jeremie Frimpong has shaken off a throat infection, with Jonny Hayes also back in contention to face Rangers. Meanwhile, Celtic target Fabricio Bruno has pleaded with the Brazilian courts to rip up his contract with Cruzeiro and insisted the relegated club are so financially stricken they can’t afford to pay their cooks. The Brazilian defender has gone to court in a bid to make his deal null and void, claiming they didn’t pay him wages from May to November. His lawyer has demanded the contract is annulled by stating: ‘There’s no prospect of matters improving in Cruzeiro and no prospect of the salary arriving.’