'We're In A Brilliant Position, And Now We Look Forward To A Semi-Final On Sunday'

IN September last year, Scott Sinclair showed incredible skill in front of goal, when his quick-thinking back-heel helped the Hoops overcome Aberdeen 1-0 at Paradise.

- Joe Donnelly

Two months on, a solitary Ryan Christie strike sunk the Dons in the League Cup final at Hampden, before the Scottish champions triumphed in a seven-goal thriller at Pittodrie on Boxing Day.

Last month, Derek McInnes’ men held the Hoops to a goalless draw in the Premiership, in what was Neil Lennon’s first home game in charge since returning as Celtic manager.

All of which is to say, encounters between Celtic and Aberdeen are always fiercely-contested and very tight, and Neil Lennon expects a similarly hard-fought match on Sunday at the National Stadium.

A win would, of course, see the Hoops progress to the Scottish Cup final on May 25, as they target a third consecutive domestic treble this campaign.

In the aftermath of Saturday’s 0-0 home draw with Livingston, the Irishman expressed frustration with his side’s lack of prowess in front of goal, but likewise praised the chances his side created in the final third.

A combination of missed opportunities, steadfast defending and top-class goalkeeping ensured Gary Holt’s men kept the Scottish champions at bay, but the manager nevertheless described their 11-point lead at the summit of the league as both commanding and brilliant.

With just five games of the season remaining, an eighth consecutive title seems all but certain. However, the Hoops must redirect their focus to the next game ahead, Aberdeen in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.

“We’re in a brilliant position, and now we look forward to a semi-final on Sunday,” Neil Lennon told the Celtic View. “It’s been a hard week for the players, both on and off the pitch, and they’ve dealt with everything brilliantly as usual.