Celtic manager Neil Lennon was having none of Rangers chairman Dave King’s recent comments during his pre-match press conference yesterday, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
You may remember at the start of the week that King wrote an outlandish letter to Rangers supporters ahead of their season ticket renewal campaign, claiming that Steven Gerrard’s side were ‘within tangible reach of Rangers becoming the dominant force in Scottish football again.’
That’s despite being behind Celtic by double digits in the Scottish Premiership again this season and having been dumped out of the cups by Aberdeen on two occasions.
It’s a fanciful notion that they are on the brink of success and Neil Lennon has brushed off the comments when asked about the statement.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, the Hoops boss said:
It’s not for me to say. Others can give their opinion on that. I can only speak on behalf of Celtic and since 2000 our record domestically has been pretty good.
We have good people, good recruitment and a class board who keep their powder dry.
We don’t talk ourselves up, we just try and maintain our standards over the past few years or so.
It’s fantastic to have that support. I’ve worked with high-class people whether in business or football.
I’ve been very fortunate and they give you great advice if and when it’s needed.
The bluster coming from across the city with no evidence to back it up is always amusing and the latest from King is no different.
All he’s done is pile more pressure on Steven Gerrard to over achieve as Rangers manager and deliver trophies that they are showing no signs of getting close to.
They are of course a big club and have high standards, but as some point the Ibrox chairman is simply misleading fans.
Lennon is right, Celtic go about their business and get the job done, leaving the talking to others.