Lennon eyes Caley revenge mission

Livingston 1 Celtic 4

In 2000, the Parkhead side were famously knocked out of the tournament by Caley who were then still a First Division side, the 3-1 defeat at home ending the reign of Parkhead manager John Barnes.

Three years later the Bank of Scotland Premier League champions were handed a trip to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium three days after they ousted Liverpool from the UEFA Cup with a 2-0 win at Anfield.

Lennon was one of just three players not rested for the visit north by then manager Martin O’Neill and once again the Hoops faltered, going down to a Dennis Wyness goal.

After beating Livingston 4-1 at Almondvale, courtesy of a Derek Riordan double and strikes by Darren O’Dea and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Gordon Strachan’s side were drawn to play Caley in the last eight in the weekend of February 24/25.

The Irishman admits it was not the draw he was looking for but is looking to set the record straight. He said: “That was the draw to avoid and it is always going to be tough going up there. When you look at the teams who are left in the cup, they will be one of the dark horses.

“I played in the last game. Henrik and Joos Valgaeren and myself had played on the Thursday at Anfield and played on the Sunday as well. I don’t have a good recollection of that game.

“It was great cup victory for them but a sickener for us so there might be a wee bit of revenge in the air when we go up there the next time.

Everyone will be talking about it and there will be a score to settle as far as we are concerned.”

But Strachan was unconcerned about the Parkhead club’s recent cup history against Caley. He said: “Since I’ve been here they have not beaten us so I can only deal with that history.”

Livingston manager John Robertson urged his players to learn lessons from the Celtic players who survived an early scare when they fell behind to a David Mackay goal to end up easy winners.

He said: “If our players are asked what their job description is and they say they are football players, they should really look at Celtic because that’s what being a football player is all about.

“The condition they are in, the ability and work ethic they have and the way they play the game, that’s what being a footballer is about – and that’s the level our guys have to aspire to.”

LIVINGSTON: Stewart, MacKay, McPake, Tweed, Golabek, Fox (Hamill 57), Mitchell, Walker, Craig (Smylie 82), Makel (Dorrans 63), Teggart.

CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, McManus, O’Dea, Naylor, Nakamura, Hartley, Lennon (Sno 76), Jarosik (Gravesen 68), Vennegoor of Hesselink, Riordan.

Referee: C Richmond.