Gers’ woes irrelevant, says jubilant Lawwell

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has described Rangers losing 10 points for going into administration as “irrelevant” to the Hoops’ Clydesdale Bank Premier League title win.

The ailing Ibrox club’s automatic punishment by the SPL in mid-February left them trailing their Old Firm rivals by 14 points. Celtic never looked back and Neil Lennon was able to enjoy his first title win as Hoops boss after a comprehensive 6-0 win at Kilmarnock yesterday.

The 10-point advantage Celtic were handed has led to arguments and debate over a ’tainted title’ but Lawwell is having none of it.

“It is irrelevant,” he told BBC’s Sportsweek show.

“We are worthy champions — we thoroughly deserve (it), there is no question we are the best team in Scotland.

“We try to concentrate on our success rather than failings and failures elsewhere and I think that is the right thing to do.”

Lawwell had a special word of praise for Lennon, saying: “I am very proud of him, he thoroughly deserves what he has achieved, particularly what has happened to him over the last couple of years, where the pressures off the field have been immense as well.

“He is a mentally strong character and I am delighted for him and his family.”