Lennon: We don’t need strong Rangers opposition to succeed

Neil Lennon does not believe Celtic need a strong Rangers in order to thrive.

The issue of the relationship between the Old Firm clubs is on the agenda at the moment due to the financial restraints the cash-strapped Ibrox club is working under while they wait on the verdict of a tax tribunal which could land them with a bill of £49m and which would almost certainly ensure administration.

A more financially sound Celtic are one point clear of the champions at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a game in hand as they look forward to today’s trip to Inverness in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

The Hoops boss claims their position of strength is down to hard work at the club and not reliant on strong opposition from across the city.

“I’m not in the camp who believe the SPL, or Celtic, need a strong Rangers,” Lennon said.

“I’d be quite happy if we were a lot stronger than Rangers. A lot of people think Celtic and Rangers need each other, well at the minute we don’t. We’re in a strong position financially with good young players coming through. But we’ve had to work hard and be patient for that.

“But the people who suffer the most as always are the supporters and I have a lot of sympathy for the Rangers fans with the situation being the way it is at the moment.”

The Irishman acknowledged the boost that Nikica Jelavic’s move from Rangers to Everton on deadline day has given his side in their bid to wrest the title back to Parkhead.

However, Lennon was at pains to make clear that the departure of the Ibrox club’s top scorer does not mean that the SPL title is now, as one reporter put it, Celtic’s to lose.

“It will certainly weaken Rangers’ squad because he is a superb player,” he said.

“But it is not our title. Rangers are the champions, we are trying to win it back.

“We’ve got to win the league, whether Jelavic is here or not here.’’