LASER-FOCUSED

The manager on the importance of focusing game-to-game, and playing football the Celtic Way.

- JOE DONNELLY

LET’S take stock. Ahead of tonight’s Premiership encounter with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, the Scottish champions are top of the league with 58 points on the board. They’ve scored 108 goals this campaign so far.

The League Cup has been safely returned to the Paradise trophy cabinet for a fourth successive season. And Neil Lennon’s men are through to the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League – having progressed to the knockout round of the tournament as table-toppers for the first time.

With a successful January almost behind the team, and on the precipice of an eight-game February and staring down the business end of the season, perspective is important. Replicating the domestic dominance of recent seasons won’t be easy, even if the same thing was said this time last season, and the season before that.

Playing game-to-game and focusing on their own business first is this squad’s forte. Granted, there’s a long stretch of the current campaign left to play – but Neil Lennon is certain his players are laser-focused on the task at hand.

“We’ve had three good results so far, they’ve been excellent,” said the manager in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View. “I was really pleased with the Kilmarnock result, that was a difficult place to go to, and we’ve managed to get a great result from a great performance.

“We’ve had a good run of results, but we’re just a little bit concerned that we’ve picked up a few injuries. We had seven players out last weekend, but thankfully we’ve got Ryan Christie and Kris Ajer back and available for selection for tonight’s game against St Johnstone.