NEIL LENNON has been speaking to the Media this lunchtime ahead of Sunday’s early kick-off against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park when the Treble Treble winners aim to make it six straight league wins at the start of the new campaign.
The Celtic manager was still focused on the events in Brittany last night where his team made it five European away days this season without defeat and believes that his side deserved more from the match.
It’s crazy reading the reports in the French media claiming that Rennes were due a second penalty after Jonny Hayes’ hard but fair challenge – he won the ball cleanly – yet fail to mention the blatant error from the Spanish referee and his assistant who both ignored a stonewaller when Ryan Christie was fouled inside the box.
They’d probably say that they are just backing their team and that the Scottish media will be doing the same for Celtic – back to no laughing at the back.
???? Neil Lennon speaking to the media today at Celtic Park…
???? “The overall performance and the control we had for long periods of the game against one of the top teams in France, away from home, was fantastic.” pic.twitter.com/z81gWKJda1
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 20, 2019
“The overall performance and the control we had for long periods of the game against one of the top teams in France, away from home, was fantastic,” Lenny stated. “There was a maturity and quality about our performance. The only slight bit of disappointment was that we didn’t win the game.
“I didn’t want them to play well and lose and they showed great desire to come back into the game. There were stages where we looked like we could’ve won it.
“Our play was of very high quality. But it’s just one performance and we know the group is wide open. We now look forward to a home game where we have to try and take maximum points.”
Away results in Europe this season:
FK Sarajevo 1-3 Celtic
Nomme Kalju 0-2 Celtic
CFR Cluj 1-1 Celtic
AIK 1-4 Celtic
Stade Rennes 1-1 Celtic5 games played, 3 wins, 2 draws
11 goals scored, 4 goals conceded pic.twitter.com/Rghux30uPM
— CelticBible (@celticbible) September 19, 2019
The manager also provided an injury update on Bolingoli, who went off why a groin strain last night, and Leigh Griffiths didn’t travel to France after suffering a thigh injury in training.
On the popular left back, who arrived in July from Rapid Vienna in a £3million move to Celtic, Lenny confirmed it’s nothing too serious, but it does open a door for Greg Taylor to get a few games in.
“It’s not too serious. He’ll be a major doubt for the weekend and maybe Partick Thistle. He has a slight groin strain. Hopefully he’ll only miss one or two games,” Lenny said about Bolingoli, adding “Greg Taylor is in contention. He’ll be ready to play when called upon.”
On Leigh Griffiths, Lenny also reckoned that the problem is minor and he’ll be fine for Sunday.
“He missed the match due to a dead leg. We are hoping he’ll be okay for the weekend. It’s nothing too serious.”
On Sunday’s visitors Kilmarnock the Celtic manager expects, as usual, a very tough game.
“We always have difficult games against Kilmarnock, whether home or away, and I expect Sunday to be the same.”
Remember that it’s a 1pm kick-off – my supporters club committee nearly got that one wrong – and also the Celtic Foundation are doing their Food Bank collection before the match so don’t forget to bring along the items requested – tea bags, biscuits, pasta, pasta sauce, tinned food, UHT milk, juice, tinned fish, packet custard, tinned rice and such like.
Please don’t forget.
????️ A reminder that @FoundationCFC will be hosting a foodbank collection prior to #CELKIL on Sunday.
All donations are greatly appreciated ????#FootballForGood pic.twitter.com/lrkeI7xHHu
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 20, 2019
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR…
Tricheur means Cheat – Will UEFA take action against Rennes keeper and blundering referee?…see HERE.
Don’t miss the Definitive Player Ratings from Sandman and as usual they are outrageously funny…
Sandman’s Definite Ratings -‘Go on and rustle them up a bit, son,’ Lenny didn’t mean execute their skipper…see HERE.
‘Celtic are deserving of a great deal of praise for last night’s performance,’ David Potter…see HERE.
‘I thought it was a stonewaller so there’s a sense of frustration,’ Ryan Christie…see HERE.
Lenny wants VAR in Europa League after Spanish referee makes wrong calls…see HERE.
Honours Even – Celtic Frustrated By Spanish Referee under Rennes’ Blood Red Sky…see HERE.
