NEIL LENNON will have a big impact on this Sunday’s so-called league decider at Celtic Park.
On Saturday morning he took the Rangers tactics employed so unsuccessfully at Hampden six days earlier and turned them on their head.
Rangers ploy to sit-off Celtic and try to deny them space in the last third backfired on their rookie caretaker boss Graeme Murty and that convinced Neil Lennon to do the exact opposite at Easter Road.
It worked perfectly for him and it spoilt a good Celtic party. That will have to wait until this Sunday when Murty gets another chance to show if he can tactically outmanoeuvre Brendan Rodgers – after Neil Lennon showed him that it is possible!
Here’s what the Hibs boss had to say, starting with a non- naming reference to the Rangers 4-0 thumping at Hampden in the Scottish Cup.
“I’m not going to criticise other teams, but it was something that was a feature of our preparation,” Lennon revealed.
“When you play Celtic, if you stand off them, I’ll always go back to the Barcelona game, if you mark space you’re knackered.
“You have to mark men, especially against these guys. If you drop off they change runs and cut you to ribbons. We asked them to go man for man. We even left Efe Ambrose with Leigh Griffiths one on one.
“We gambled a bit and it worked. On another day, someone could slip and they are in.”
Given the widespread criticism from inside his own dressing room and among his support – many of whom stayed away yesterday as Rangers beat Hearts 2-1 – Murty must surely look to do what Hibs did on Sunday and press Celtic all over the pitch, playing man for man.
However who does he leave one on one with Moussa Dembele at the back?
Sunday is going to be some day!