Best Moment Of My Life

An emotional Neil Lennon was lost for words after leading the Scottish champions to a historic Treble Treble

WITH seconds left on the clock at Hampden, Hearts right-back Michael Smith played a long ball deep into the Celtic penalty area. Uche Ikpeazu headed downward towards the six-yard box, and Jozo Simunovic threw himself fearlessly, head-first, to intercept. James Forrest collected, drove forward, and the referee blew for full-time.

Celtic had won the 2019 Scottish Cup, another domestic clean sweep, and an unprecedented Treble Treble. History was made, and Neil Lennon dropped to his knees on the touchline.

“After the final whistle at the Scottish Cup final, that was one of the best moments of my life, not just my professional career,” said Neil Lennon in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View. “Looking around the stadium, looking at what it meant to the players and to the club, you can’t quantify that and how I felt personally in words.

“It was such an incredible feeling. I’m so proud of the players and I’m so proud of the supporters as well. We will probably never see that again, and to be part of that felt magnificent.

“I sunk to my knees, but then had to gather myself, and console Craig. You need to do that, out of courtesy and professional respect, because we’re all in the same game. But the feeling I had when that final whistle went, it was just incredible.”

Guiding their team to silverware is any manager’s dream, but the task was hardly straightforward for Neil Lennon this year.

Following the unexpected departure of Brendan Rodgers in February, the Irishman slotted in as interim boss at a moment’s notice, and led Celtic to victory against Hearts at Tynecastle in the league, and Hibernian at Easter Road in the Scottish Cup, within the space of four days.