Big Games Call For Big Characters

For Neil Lennon, big games and busy schedules are what managing the biggest club in Scotland is all about

- Joe Donnelly

JUST 12 hours after returning as interim boss in late February, Neil Lennon’s Celtic overcame Hearts with a last-gasp winner at Tynecastle. Just three days after that, two goals without reply at Easter Road ensured the Hoops a place in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.

And in the month of March, the Hoops hosted Aberdeen and Rangers on the path to the unprecedented Treble Treble.

The Celtic manager knows better than anyone that every game and every week at the eight-in-a-row Scottish champions is a big one. However, with the return leg of a UEFA Europa League play-off and a Glasgow derby in the space of just three days – both away from home – the next week is as big as they come.

“August has been a demanding month for us, and now we finish with a huge game and start the next month with another,” said the manager in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View. “We give players a break whenever we can. Odsonne, for example, should be back for Thursday, Mikey as well.

“We’ve got some other players back in, with the likes of Tom Rogic back on the training pitch, and we’re trying to keep the squad as healthy as we can, while at the same time trying to maintain the quality of our performances.”

Neil Lennon said the key message to his players ahead of the return leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off with AIK is to be mindful, wary and to get control of the game as early as possible.

So far this season, the Scottish champions have scored in every game they’ve played, both home and away, which bodes well for Thursday’s encounter. Celtic go into the match with a 2-0 aggregate lead, which means, should they find the net in Stockholm, AIK will be required to score four.