GARY CALDWELL has praised Neil Lennon after recovering from a run of four games without a win to book Celtic a place in the Scottish Cup Final. The ex-Celtic defender told BBC Sportsound that he expected Lennon to turn things around after a difficult run of results owing to the fact that the Irishman is a fighter.
“When the chips are down Neil Lennon comes out fighting and that’s what he has done his whole career as a player and as a manager.
“I think it has been brilliant from him in terms of how you manage the club.
“He has got his point across to the players and they came out fighting against Aberdeen.
“That’s what Celtic have done in recent years, when they have been asked questions they have found the answers.
“Last week was two massive games in terms of pressure and they have come out the other side of that.
“Now they can try and build on it and put in some performances into the league and try and close the gap with the games they have in hand.
“All of a sudden what looked to be a huge crisis which could have erupted into something bigger, Neil has managed the situation brilliantly and navigated his team through it.”
Caldwell played with and was managed by Lennon during his time at Celtic and the ex-Partick Thistle boss believes that Celtic are through their ‘crisis’ and can focus on putting pressure back on Rangers.
Celtic are currently 9 points behind Rangers but have two games in hand over Steven Gerrard’s side. Although two first half showings versus Lille and Aberdeen proved that Celtic might have turned the corner, owing perhaps to Odsonne Edouard, Tom Rogic and the return of 4-2-3-1.
Lennon has won five titles as a player and a manager, he is a serial winner and will navigate Celtic through what is a tricky period. The return of his stars and tweaking of the formation will ensure that Celtic only get better in the next few weeks.
