The Tough Get Going…

Neil Lennon hails his players individually and collectively after an impressive performance in the 2-0 derby win at Ibrox

- Tony Connelly

THE international break offers a welcome period of reflection on the frantic start to the season, and Neil Lennon ensured that Celtic fans have plenty of positives to savour this week after his side secured European football until Christmas, and convincingly won the first Glasgow derby.

The Scottish champions ended the first flurry of fixtures in dominant fashion in having won all four league games and opening up an early three-point lead at the top of the table. That outcome would have come as something of a surprise to many pundits who viewed Celtic’s prospects of coming away from Ibrox with a win as an unlikely one.

However, once the whistle blew for kick-off, it soon became clear that Celtic should never have been underestimated. The Hoops took the game to Steven Gerrard’s side, pressing them aggressively inside their own half as they diligently hunted down their opponents and took control of the game.

Celtic’s form in the league should have been a clear enough indication that the champions were as hungry as ever to continue on the path of unprecedented success. For those who doubted that, they were reminded when Mikey Johnston played Odsonne Edouard through on goal and the French striker, as he so often does against Rangers, scored.

The home side were fortunate to be only a goal behind as the game wore on. Celtic edged their opponents on every front, they were the more aggressive, the more organised and the more threatening in attack. The thoroughly-deserved second goal game right at the death when a Celtic counter-attack ended with Jonny Hayes through on goal and knocking in the rebound to his first effort.

When the final whistle blew, there was no doubt that Celtic outperformed their title rival hopefuls, and Neil Lennon credited his players for following the game-plan and believing in their own ability.