'We Want To Finish Off The Season With A Win On Trophy Day And Then We Look Forward To The Cup Final'

LAST week was undoubtedly a week of mixed emotions for the club, a week that began with the elation of winning the league but ended with the disappointment of losing in a Glasgow derby.

- Joe Donnelly and Tony Connelly

On the rare occasion when this Hoops side have encountered failure this season, they have responded in a fashion befitting of champions and Neil Lennon expects his side to do just that as they pick themselves up and focus on finishing the season on a high with another treble.

It was only just over a week ago that Celtic wrapped up the league title with a 3-0 away win over Aberdeen. There was little time to full reflect on the incredible achievement of clinching eight-in-a-row, however, as celebration gave way to mourning with the funeral of Lisbon Lion, Stevie Chalmers taking place last Wednesday morning at St Mary’s Church in Calton.

Any hopes of resuming the celebratory atmosphere from Pittodrie were quickly dashed at Ibrox when Steven Gerrard’s side snatched an early goal in the final Glasgow derby of the season on Sunday. Celtic found themselves behind in the second minute when James Tavernier’s free-kick snuck in at the far post, and the home side doubled their lead in the second half through Scott Arfield.

Neil Lennon was frank in his assessment of his side’s uncharacteristically sluggish start. “We got off to a poor start, but you have a long way to go to play your way into it and get back into the game,” said the Celtic manager. “It was a really poor first few minutes in particular and it set the tone for the rest of the game.

“We had the ball and we were sloppy with it, not just in the beginning but for the majority of the game. We lost possession, gave away a free-kick and the players were not getting into the positions that they’re supposed to be in to defend set-pieces.