In a period that has seen Celtic win eight straight domestic games, Neil Lennon has praised the mentality of his players and the transfer policy that has seen them continue to dominate in Scottish football as reported by The Daily Record.
The Hoops have suffered just two domestic defeats this season and after both – Livingston in September and Rangers in December – Lennon has guided his side to an impressive run of results.
The Parkhead gaffer revealed that it’s not just how a player contributes towards success that sees them becoming a target but also how they react to defeat:
“You have to deal with defeat, that’s the only thing you can do. We bounced back from that one (Livi away) and won a long run of games.”
“It’s not just the mentality – they are good players. You never know if a player has that about them when they sign. You try to gauge it.”
“Do they throw in the towel? It’s the character you are looking for as well as the talent. Obviously the people working for the club do the due diligence on their background, their family life and what they are like away from football.”
“That’s what separates the good from the very good.”
Although not intended, Lennon’s remarks can be seen as a thinly veiled swipe at his counterpart across the city regarding Steven Gerrard’s recent comments questioning his own side’s mental strength during a period in which they have handed initiative – and barring a miracle, the league – to Celtic.
Rangers collapse coincided with the Hoops putting their foot down and winning every domestic game in 2020 after a change of shape – despite being top of the league – has seen them pull away from their nearest “rivals” and gain an almost unassailable lead.
Will Celtic go the rest of the season unbeaten?
Yes
No
Whatever Lennon is doing behind the scenes at Lennoxtown and in the changing rooms at Celtic Park it is clearly working as his side remain on course for a fourth consecutive treble with there being no signs of them dropping points anytime soon.