OLD FIRM COUNTDOWN
Semi-final reverse only spurred the champions on to bigger and better things, believes Lennon
AS painful and humiliating as the experience may have been, Neil Lennon believes the Celtic support have reason to be grateful for last season’s Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers.
The former Parkhead boss believes the inept performance turned in by Ronny Deila’s players at Hampden in April lit a fire under the club’s board of directors, sparking a managerial search that ultimately resulted in the appointment of Brendan Rodgers.
Despite enjoying a clear lead at the summit of the Premiership, Celtic toiled against Mark Warburton’s second-tier outfit, labouring through 120 minutes to an eventual penalty shoot-out reverse.
Jolted by that Cup exit, and with the approval of major shareholder Dermot Desmond, chief executive Peter Lawwell began the process of regime change at Lennoxtown.
Deila’s subsequent resignation was followed by the announcement that former Liverpool boss Rodgers was to take over on the eve of Rangers’ Hampden loss to Hibernian in May.
Lennon was himself formally interviewed as he strove for a second spell in charge of the club but was overtaken by Rodgers in the recruitment process and fully understands why he was beaten to the job by the former Anfield manager.
Lennon believes the mere presence of Rodgers, who has already guided Celtic to the group stage of the Champions league for the first time since Lennon did likewise three years ago, will make it much harder for Warburton’s side to make inroads on their traditional rivals this term.
The two sides meet for the first time this season at Celtic Park next Saturday and Lennon believes the home team are resounding favourites.
‘At the time of the semi-final, I think both teams were in different places to where they are now,’ he states.
‘Celtic were certainly on a downward spiral, while Rangers played brilliantly and with freedom.
‘Both clubs are now at the top table and I think the expectation from the Rangers fans will be a lot higher.
‘Rangers played very well that day and it was certainly a wake-up call for a lot of people surrounding Celtic.
‘There’s no question it pushed the board into doing something. That, combined with the fact the club had been out of the Champions League for two years meant they had to go and get a manager of the calibre of Brendan.’
While Celtic have burst to the top of the Premiership table with consecutive victories over Hearts, St Johnstone and last year’s runners-up Aberdeen Rangers have appeared less surefooted on the club’s return to the top flight.
Although Warburton’s side are unbeaten in four games, draws against Hamilton and Kilmarnock have highlighted defensive fragility.
‘Mark is still trying to get a level of performance that would please him,’ continued Lennon. ‘He maybe needs to dip into the transfer market just to get a little more quality.
‘I think Celtic are stronger and they will be favourites. At the minute, I think they would win it but you just never know in an Old Firm game. Form can go out of the window.’
As the season wears on, Lennon believes Celtic’s participation in the Champions League will give them an extra competitive edge after two years juggling Europa League and domestic commitments.
While he knows from experience that a diet of second-tier European football — and the accompanying Thursday/ Sunday fixture routine — can have a draining effect on a club’s season, he also has first-hand knowledge of the invigorating effects of performing on the very biggest stage.
With games to come against Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach, Lennon believes Celtic’s entire season is set up nicely.
He continued: ‘The club is geared for the Champions League, it’s something that has been missing for a couple of years and now they are back there.
‘They can really enjoy the ride now. The quality of game, the tempo, intensity and atmosphere, everything about the Champions League is just that little bit better.
‘The players have earned it, Brendan has earned it and now they can really take it on. Once you are in the Champions League, it lifts you.’
Having worked under Lawwell and Desmond for years, Lennon understands the significance to the club of qualifying for the Champions League.
‘Peter will be delighted, as would Dermot — I’m sure a glass of champagne would have been poured here and there when the final whistle blew in the qualifiers,’ he added. ‘It’s where Celtic crave to be and, if they can be a regulars in that tournament, it would be fantastic.
‘It’s not as easy as that, though. I’ve always maintained there is an unfair advantage for teams from certain countries playing those qualifiers so early. ‘It’s your whole season really — it defines what you do. Now that they’ve made it, they just need to savour it and give it their best shot.’