Celtic made it 30 wins in a row in domestic cup competitions after humbling Hibs 5-2 in the Betfred Cup semi-final yesterday and as he can look forward to seeing who he will face in the final between today’s second semi-finalists, Neil Lennon can enjoy a deserved day of relaxation.
As reported in the Daily Record, the Irishman said that despite the expectation of the media, fans and rivals – his Celtic team will keep working to keep winning.
Lennon, who returned to the club in February, was ecstatic that his team punished Hibs to reach the first final of the season. Doubles from Elyounoussi and Scott Brown along with a Callum McGregor goal booked Celtic a date at Hampden in December.
The manager toasted the record by his all-conquering Celtic, who won a Treble Treble after beating Hearts 2-1 at Hampden in May’s Scottish Cup final. He also paid homage to Brendan Rodgers for installing a mentality about cup games that made Celtic so consistent in the cup competitions since Rodgers arrived in 2016. Since Rodgers left, Lennon has continued where his compatriot left.
“I don’t know where it ranks in terms of British football and records, but it’s amazing.
“Anything can happen on any given day. You get bad days – I’ve had them as a player and a manager – but Brendan Rodgers has put this sort of mentality in place and we’re trying to carry that on. The players just don’t want to give that up.
“Everyone’s coming for them but they want to stand there toe to toe with them and keep going.”
As the record progresses, Lennon is aware that expectation remains and that could infringe upon the players thoughts ahead of the games, especially after 30 domestic cup wins in a row
“You have to ignore it. I don’t expect them to win – I hope they can, I believe they can, but to expect something isn’t what we do.
“So we prepare them the right way and yeah, they are under a lot of scrutiny just now, people want to see this run end but their pride just won’t let that happen just now.
“It will go one day but they’re relentless in their pursuit of trophies just now and they’re doing it with style.”
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR AFTER CELTIC’S 5-2 WIN OVER HIBS…
“I’ve had enough now”: This is how it feels to be a Hibs fan after emphatic loss to Celtic
“All I want for Christmas”: These fans urge Celtic to sign Elyounoussi on a permanent basis
Together as one into the #BetfredCup final! 🍀💥 #Bhoys #CelticFC #HibCel pic.twitter.com/0tcZ13pECl
— Jeremie Frimpong (@JeremieFrimpong) November 2, 2019
