SM
Sports Mole words bigger AMP 2
Portsmouth vs. Millwall: 10 hrs 11 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Neil Lennon hits out at 'hysterical' criticism of Celtic

:Headline: Neil Lennon hits out at 'hysterical' criticism of Celtic: ID:368763: from db_amp
Critics have rounded on Lennon and his team since they were dumped out of the Champions League by Cluj.
Neil Lennon hits out at 'hysterical' criticism of Celtic

Defiant Neil Lennon has launched a bullish defence of his under-fire side as he insisted criticism aimed at Celtic has bordered on "hysteria".

Critics have rounded on the Hoops boss and his team since they were dumped out of the Champions League by Romanians Cluj last week.

The flak intensified after it took extra-time and a deflected James Forrest strike to see off Championship side Dunfermline in the Betfred Cup on Saturday.

But Lennon has hit out at those rushing to write Celtic off and believes his side can restore their European prestige by fighting past AIK Stockholm to reach the Europa League group stages.

Ahead of hosting the Swedes on Thursday, the Northern Irishman called for calm, saying: "It's not me that is creating the headlines or shouting out the criticism.

"I'm very supportive of the players and was after Cluj and Dunfermline. We've lost one game – I didn't believe we deserved to and that's the harsh realities of the game.

"We're fine. We're absolutely fine. It's like everyone out there is head down. We're not. We're bullish and looking forward to the games.

"There has to be a sense of perspective.

"I can't control that but there has been a little bit of hysteria at times. That is the environment you're in in Glasgow sometimes.

Lennon was left frustrated by his side's defensive lapses against Cluj (Jane Barlow/PA)

"We've lost one game and scored three goals in it, so it's not all doom and gloom.

"We have to be bullish about things and look forward. It's a big disappointment to be out of the Champions League but the Europa League is a very good competition that hopefully we can prosper in.

"There's a narrative going around that we might be a little bit off colour. We're not.

"We're absolutely not and hopefully the players can go out and show that tomorrow.

"We have a big season ahead. We're two league games in and have scored 12 goals.

"People are entitled to criticise me and the players but there has to be a sense of balance."

Celtic have made the group stage of the Champions League or the Europa League every season since 2011 and Lennon believes it is vital his side maintain that record.

Lennon, who is still hoping to add three or four new faces to his squad before the September 2 transfer deadline, added: "Obviously the players want to show they have some European pedigree.

"It's important we get through. It gives us gravitas, opens the season up and gives us European football to look forward to towards Christmas, so it's an important couple of games."

Lennon has some useful contacts in Sweden but admits his former Parkhead number two Johan Mjallby may not be willing to divulge too much about his side's opponents.

Johan Mjallby (left) was Lennon's assistant for four years during the Northern Irishman's first spell in charge of Celtic (Danny Lawson/PA)

"I'll speak to Johan before the game but he's an AIK legend as well as a Celtic legend, so he may have divided loyalties," he grinned.

"He's a very good friend of mine and my number two for four years during my first spell. He's coming to the game I believe so it will be good to see him.

"It will be a tough game. Swedes have a great mentality. It's vitally important that we start better than we did against Cluj.

"We've had a good look at AIK. We watched them last week and had some thorough reports on them. We're prepared and ready to go."

amp_article__368763 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-08-21 14:16:02:
html db last update - 2019-08-21 14:16:02 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Neil Lennon

Click here for more stories about Celtic

Share this article now:
Read more about Neil Lennon Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic23193164115360
2RangersRangers24155447192850
3Dundee UnitedDundee Utd2410773227537
4Aberdeen2410593236-435
5Motherwell2494112939-1031
6Hibernian247983537-230
7St Mirren2493123038-830
8Dundee2376103741-427
9Hearts2476112833-527
10Ross County2468102443-1926
11Kilmarnock2467112740-1325
12St Johnstone2453162748-2118
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .