Neil Lennon yesterday dropped the biggest hint possible that Celtic captain Scott Brown will be selected for Sunday’s COVID delayed Scottish Cup Final over Hearts at an empty Hampden.
“Scott has been fantastic and he is quite a unique individual,” the Celtic manager told the media today, as reported by Scottish Sun. “He has carried the dressing-room for a long, long time – through thick and thin.
“Even being left out of the team, his attitude has been magnificent. He still tries to galvanise everyone. At the end of the day, he is an icon at the club – a modern-day great.
“And he may have a chance of starting on Sunday!” the Celtic manager hinted.
“I have been there when you start to come to the end of your career. It’s tough. You want to hang in there and he still has plenty to offer on and off the field, there is no question of that.”
Earlier in the week The Celtic Star predicted that Scott Brown would indeed start at Hampden on Sunday, naming the following side. You can check on Sunday to see how many of the eleven we get right!
Hazard
Ajer, Duffy, Julien, Laxalt
Brown, McGregor
Christie, Turnbull, Elyounoussi
Edouard.
We also stated that Soro would be given game time in the Scottish Cup Final.
Lennon also pointed out – in the week when RANGERS theRangers Invincible, (one) Treble Winners settled for winning the Scottish Premiership, 2021 Scottish Cup and Europa League – that in the real world winning a Treble in Scottish football is a remarkably difficult thing to do ONCE never mind FOUR TIMES IN A ROW.
That is what a win on Sunday will mean for Celtic – an incredible, never to be repeated DOZEN consecutive trophies – truly a WORLD RECORD.
“The gravity of the achievement is not beyond us and we want to go and complete the quadruple Treble,” Lenny said. “To win a 12th trophy in a row would probably never be seen again. Certainly not in my lifetime.
“It’s really important for me personally as a manager as it would be my first Treble. And also for the players to finish off a great four years for the club.
“It’s an important game against a side full of Premiership stars – even though their status is the Championship. There is a cup up for grabs and it could complete something very special – but we respect Hearts.”
Yet Sunday’s Scottish Cup Final takes place for the Celtic manager in the shadow of the recent terrible run of form – which resulted in just two wins from 12 matches. Although the intense pressure that surrounded that form slump has eased with the wins over Lille and Kilmarnock, Lennon is well aware that there is ground to be made up in the league campaign.
“In terms of the league, it’s step by step. There is a long way to go and these gaps can be closed quickly,” Lennon said. “I feel galvanised. Even through the sticky period I felt strong and motivated to turn things round.
“Will a win on Sunday help convince the doubters? You may never convince them. This is a blue riband period for the club and we should enjoy it – not turn away at the first sign of things not going so well.
And Lennon also addressed the Want Aways and the squad Malcontents who combined to upset the applecart so far this season, and reckons that they are now more settled and happy with their lot (poor souls). “Some of the players maybe thought, ‘I’ve done my bit here and it’s maybe time to move on to pastures new’.
“But I think they are very focused now and know what the reaction can be when you come off it. They felt the wrath of the fans and they don’t want to see it again.”
Fourth Round: Partick Thistle 1-2 Celtic
Fifth Round: Clyde 0-3 Celtic
Sixth Round: St Johnstone 0-1
Semi-Final: Celtic 2-0 Aberdeen
Ahead of Sunday's match, refresh your memory of @CelticFC's Road to the #ScottishCupFinal pic.twitter.com/wKPg9zLRI0
— William Hill Scottish Cup (@ScottishCup) December 17, 2020
There isn’t a Club in Scotland that will Ever break Celtics recorded History.An Unbroken History.We have to back the Team.The Board are Delusional.Wonder how much of a Bonus PLiewell is getting after the Final