FORMER Celtic boss Neil Lennon believes his old team have the psychological edge and struggles to see how Rangers can bridge the gap when they face off at Hampden this Sunday.
Lennon reckons Celtic may be watching their rivals from across the city struggle to catch up in the coming years, with their success under Ange Postecoglou bound to last a while.
Michael Beale‘s Rangers are chasing their first win over the Hoops under his watch and the defeat to Aberdeen at the weekend will have done little for the Ibrox side‘s confidence. Lennon believes the “psychological edge“ Celtic have will make it hard for them to get a result, singling out a lack of pace, as well as the underwhelming displays of Todd Cantwell and Ryan Kent.
Speaking to PLZ Soccer, the former Celtic boss said:
“I think we‘re looking at another long period of Celtic dominance. They‘re so well–managed, Covid had an impact on everyone but player trading (has been good to them), then you‘ve got the likes of Frimpong who could go for big money and Celtic get an add–on from that. The club is in good health and that‘s because they have clever people behind the scenes as well.
“Psychologically it was damaging for Rangers against Aberdeen. It was Michael‘s first defeat outwith Celtic. They‘ll have to park that and concentrate on winning one game of football.
“Celtic just seem to have the psychological edge over them. Even when they‘re not at their best, they‘re still beating them and scoring three goals. According to everyone, the 3–2 win the other week, they didn‘t play well but they still scored three. If they do play well at Hampden, I can only see one winner. And if they don‘t, maybe psychologically they will win it anyway.”
“If Michael wants to win a trophy, if the players want to win a trophy and stop Celtic winning a Treble, they have to win this game. By hook or by crook, he‘s got to find a way of not outplaying Celtic – because that‘s a difficult thing to do – but outwork them, be more physical within the laws of the game, and try to keep a clean sheet.
“The goals they conceded at Celtic Park were poor. I‘m not sure (about their lineup). There‘s a lack of pace in the team at times. Goldson coming in might make a difference, he‘ll be big for them but he‘s had his injury problems.
“Cantwell hasn‘t really lit anything up, Kent‘s been very inconsistent for the talent that he should have. It‘s going to be difficult, they‘re going to have to dig deep, cut out the noise and concentrate on the game.
“They‘re capable of it but they need to recover from Aberdeen and look at where they can catch Celtic off guard. Eventually, if Michael doesn‘t get it right, people are going to ask questions. Or maybe Celtic are just better and he needs another transfer window to build a team.”
Looking forward to Sunday, he was confident of a strong Celtic performance and is confident of an assuring win.
“I just think Celtic are superior and will win by a couple of goals.”
