Neil Lennon’s take on what divides Celtic and Rangers
Celtic and Rangers will compete in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday for the oldest trophy in football.
The Bhoys have won the championship a record 41 times and will try to go one step further at Hampden, with Brendan Rodgers fully on track for a domestic double.
However, the one-time nature of spectacular events may catch clubs off guard, leaving little space for complacency from a Celtic standpoint.
With the Scottish Premiership already clinched, the Bhoys should have nothing to worry about; nevertheless, despite defeating Rangers three times this season, each game was decided by a single goal.
In any case, Neil Lennon, who just won his comeback to football management with Romanian club Rapid Bucharest, has issued an intriguing statement about the two sides of the Glasgow split.
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon previews the Scottish Cup final.
Lennon spoke live on talkSPORT earlier today on his new role and numerous facets of his previous team, notably the build-up to their Scottish Cup final against Rangers.
When comparing the two sides, the 52-year-old said that Philippe Clement’s side may have fell short in the league this season owing to a lack of ‘real quality’ in comparison to Celtic, citing many of the Hoops’ important players as possible difference-makers on the day.
He continued, “I don’t want to get on the critical bandwagon because I’ve been in Philippe’s shoes, and he has a massive job ahead of him. To be fair, he’ll have the summer to make his own mark on the team.
“He’s done a great job with the guys he inherited, but it’s kind of faded for him in the last few months, whether it’s a mental problem or a lack of actual quality.
“I’ve always believed Celtic had more match-winners than Rangers did this season.
Later, he alluded to who he was referring to, saying, “He (Clement) is going to have to find a means to block Celtic’s rapid starts. Celtic’s midfield has been superb this season, with Hatate returning to join the O’Riley and McGregor duo in midfield.
“They have been great. James Forrest returns, and he has made a significant influence during the past six weeks of the season. I’m simply not convinced the Rangers have that caliber of player.”
Celtic are nearly at full strength ahead of the Rangers test.
Say what you want about Celtic’s early season record; nevertheless, following the return of players such as Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, and Cameron Carter-Vickers, the club’s performances and results have improved dramatically.
Without their impact at a critical juncture, along with the emergence of James Forrest, the league table may have been closer on the last day.
Barring Stephen Welsh’s injury against St Mirren last weekend, Celtic are in top form coming into the Scottish Cup final, which can only be a good thing as Rodgers looks to win more silverware.
As Celtic prepares for the Scottish Cup final against Rangers this weekend, much attention has been drawn to the teams’ transfer activities this summer.
Anthony Joseph got things off yesterday, providing an update on probable incomings and outgoings at Parkhead.
Rumours of Stephen Welsh joining Neil Lennon at Rapid Bucharest circulated, but were dispelled in an early update this morning.
However, the main debate over the last week has been who will replace Joe Hart at Celtic this summer, after the Celtic hero went out in style at Parkhead on Trophy Day.
Hartson encourages Celtic to sign Fraser Forster.
The former Celtic great was discussing the goalkeeping issue and advised his old side to look into Forster, who is being released by Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
