Neil Lennon Explains Why He Wasn’t ‘Confident’

Former Celtic manager and captain Neil Lennon has shared his thoughts on the Hoops’ disappointing 3-2 defeat at Celtic Park in the Glasgow Derby.

The loss has left many fans and pundits reflecting on the Bhoys’ performance, particularly after they fought back to level the score at 2-2 before ultimately conceding the winner.

Lennon’s Take on the Match

Speaking to Sky Sports, Lennon admitted that even at 2-2, he felt there was still a chance for Rangers to take control. “I felt that there was still something in it for them (Rangers),” he said. “Whether it be a substitute, Dessers had a great chance, you know, on the counter-attack. I just felt Celtic weren’t functioning as well as they could have done.”

Celtic’s inability to fully capitalise on their equaliser seemed to undermine their momentum, with Lennon pointing out that the team never looked completely in control after drawing level.

A Missed Opportunity

Despite the effort put in to bring the score back to 2-2, Lennon felt Celtic failed to seize the moment. “They got the 2-2 eventually, but I never felt totally confident that they’d go and take Rangers apart at any time,” Lennon said. “So you can’t give a two-goal lead to any team, particularly your biggest rivals.”

Lennon highlighted the importance of seizing the initiative in such games, particularly when the team fights back. Celtic’s failure to do so, alongside defensive mistakes, allowed Rangers to reclaim the lead and ultimately win the game.

Rangers Took Advantage

Lennon also credited Rangers for their resilience. “You can’t say that Rangers didn’t deserve to get something out of the game either,” he said. “I thought, for large parts of the first half, they were the better team.”

The former Celtic boss acknowledged that while his old team showed great quality and character, there were several players who weren’t at their best, leaving the door open for Rangers to exploit the weaknesses.

Not Celtic’s Day

Lennon conceded that despite Celtic’s efforts, it just wasn’t their day. “They (Rangers) stayed in the game, they stayed in the game. They got the break and it was a hell of a finish to win it,” he said. Even with chances at the end, such as Alistair Johnson’s opportunity, Lennon noted that it was one of those days where things didn’t go Celtic’s way.

“It’s a hell of a goal,” Lennon added, acknowledging the quality of Rangers’ winner. “But it just wasn’t Celtic’s day today, for whatever reason. It doesn’t happen very often, but it shows the standards that they’ve set over the years.”

Looking Ahead

While Lennon’s reflections are a reminder of the high standards Celtic have set over the years, the defeat at Celic Park leaves the team with lessons to learn. With the season still ongoing, Celtic will need to focus on improving their defensive solidity and consistency if they are to bounce back from this setback and finish the season strongly.